LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard isn’t rattled.
Even after the Clippers came up short in a 101-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game Four at Intuit Dome, Leonard kept the same even-keeled, steady mindset that has defined his career.
“No, not for me,” Leonard said when asked if the loss was deflating. “Like I’ve been saying, I’m happy to be out there and play. It’s still a series — best of three — and we’ll see what happens.”
Leonard finished with 24 points and nine rebounds in the defeat, leading a Clippers squad that fought back from a 20-point second-half deficit. Norman Powell poured in 22 points and drilled 4-of-8 from three-point range. James Harden also had 15 points and 11 assists.
Related Stories
Student Athlete of the Week: Dereon Conant
USWNT Defeats Brazil in Physical Friendly
The atmosphere inside Intuit Dome reflected the magnitude of the moment. Every fan received a playoff T-shirt, turning the arena into a sea of Clippers blue. The energy was electric from tip-off, with the crowd roaring after every big bucket and defensive stop. In its first postseason run, the Intuit Dome delivered a true playoff experience — loud, intense, and unforgettable.
“It was crazy in there,” Powell said. “The fans gave us life. Every big moment, every run we made, you could feel it. That’s the environment you want to play in.”
The Clippers responded, feeding off the crowd and turning up their defense in the second half. After surrendering 50 points in the first half, they clamped down and limited the Nuggets to just 35 points the rest of the way.
Still, it was not enough to overcome the effort of Nikola Jokic. Jokic nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists. Even when his final three-point attempt airballed, it turned into a positive for Denver — Aaron Gordon swooped in for the game-winning dunk.
“It’s tough,” Leonard admitted. “But I’m glad we fought. We didn’t lay down. Down, I think, 20 in that fourth quarter to be able to keep fighting and rally back… It’s the NBA. They made a great, great play.”
The Clippers can take pride in how they battled. Ivica Zubac was a force inside, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Powell hit tough shots late. Harden controlled the pace and set up teammates when the offense started clicking. It was a full team effort to erase a massive deficit.
And for Leonard, just being out there in the heat of a playoff war — feeling healthy, moving freely, leading without limitations — was the bigger victory.
After battling injuries in recent postseasons, including missing crucial games in 2021 and 2023, a healthy Leonard now brings hope. His level-headed approach and calm leadership give the Clippers the foundation they will need heading into the crucial stretch of the series.
“It’s the little things, the basics that are gonna determine the series,” Powell said. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We know what we need to do to bounce back.”
Despite the heartbreak, there is no panic inside the Clippers locker room. They have been through battles. They understand playoff heartbreak. And most importantly, they have a two-time NBA Finals MVP who has seen it all before — and who refuses to let a single result define them.
“This is what we want,” Powell said. “This is what we’re about. This is what you work for. Tight, intense playoff series. No team’s willing to give an inch, no team willing to back down.”
Now, as the series shifts back to Denver, it is clear: if the Clippers are going to survive and advance, they will be following Kawhi — calm, healthy, and locked in for the battles still to come.
