Kawhi Leonard Reveals Which Clippers Player Motivates Him

Kawhi Leonard takes inspiration from some unsung heroes around the Los Angeles Clippers' organization

Apr 11, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers are proving to be real contenders in the Western Conference.

On Thursday night, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers walloped the Denver Nuggets 117-83 to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series.

While scoring wasn't too much of an issue for Ty Lue's squad, it was the lockdown defensive effort that led the way in Game 3. Three-time league MVP, Nikola Jokic had yet another triple-double, but was held to a modest 23 points, while Jamal Murray matched 'The Joker's' 23 points, the other 10 Nuggets players who touched the floor scored a combined 37 points.

The Clippers yet again displayed a great defensive game in Game 3 against the Nuggets. LAs decision to leave Jokic on an island against Zubac forced him to score and took away one of the best passers in the game pic.twitter.com/rlWgekquVX

— Defense U (@DefenseUni) April 25, 2025

Following the dominant Game 3 victory, Leonard was asked about Thursday's defensive performance. Leonard was asked where he gets his motivation to lock down defensively from before shouting out one of the Clippers' unsung heroes, Kendrick Dunn as well as assistant coach, Jeff Van Gundy.

“I have to give credit to our coaching staff," Leonard said. "Starting with JVG...it's guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take him… They motivate me defensively. Especially Kris Dunn. Just seeing how he plays every game. Derrick Jones coming in, and Zu being that back line.

"They just want to play. They motivate me to play. I think that’s where it comes from. You see guys digging in deep and want to guard, it trickles down to everyone on the floor.”

Kawhi Leonard says Kris Dunn and his teammates motivate him defensively:

“I have to give credit to our coaching staff. Starting with JVG… It’s guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take him… They motivate me defensively.… pic.twitter.com/vWMyTVa6VN

— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) April 25, 2025

Leonard struggled on the offensive side of the ball in Game 3, but it was the Clippers' elite defensive effort, led by Leonard, Dunn, and Ivica Zubac, holding the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets to a season-low 83 points that allowed them to take a 2-1 series lead on Thursday night.

The Clippers look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Nuggets when Game 4 tips off at 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday night from the Intuit Dome.

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