A Miraculous Buzzer-Beater—But What Level Is Kawhi Leonard Really At Now?

A Must-Win Battle Ends with a Signature Shot

In a season full of must-win games, this one stood out.

The LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings entered the night neck and neck in the standings—one game apart. The winner would take the eighth spot in the Western Conference, while the loser would slide further into the chaotic race for playoff positioning.

The game was a dogfight from start to finish.

• 14 lead changes
• More than 20 instances of teams swapping the lead
• Neither team leading by more than 10 at any point

In overtime, the Clippers built a five-point cushion, only to see Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan erase it almost instantly. With just 21.6 seconds left, the Clippers trailed 109-110.

Then, Kawhi Leonard stepped up.

He took the ball at the top of the key, staring down Keegan Murray. He methodically dribbled the clock down to seven seconds, then backed him down. Turn, pivot, rise—four defenders collapsing on him.

Left-handed floater. Buzzer sounds. The ball bounces on the rim, once, twice, three times… then drops.

For just a second, time stood still.

It was impossible not to think back to 2019, to that iconic Game 7 shot over the 76ers, to the ball bouncing what felt like a hundred times before falling in.

Same player. Same moment. Same drama.

But this wasn’t 2019 Kawhi Leonard. Not even close.

The Numbers: Kawhi’s Steep Decline

Let’s be real—this shot saved Kawhi from major criticism.

Before that buzzer-beater, he was having another rough night:

• 6-for-18 from the field
• 1-for-7 from three
• 15 points total

It wasn’t just this game, either.

• Against the Knicks: 6-for-18 shooting, 1-for-6 from deep, 20 points
• Against the Suns: 9-for-20 shooting, 1-for-6 from three, 21 points
• Season overall:
  • 18.1 PPG (down from 23.7 last season)
  • 5.0 RPG, 2.8 APG
  • 45.3% FG / 35.1% 3PT / 77.4% FT
  • 53.7% true shooting (lowest of his career, even worse than his rookie year)

Last season, Kawhi was still a legit superstar:

• Played 68 games
• Averaged 23.7 PPG on elite efficiency (52.5% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 88.5% FT)
• All-Star. All-NBA Second Team.

This year? Nowhere near that level.

And the biggest issue? His signature mid-range game is vanishing.

• Last season: 48.4% from 10-19 feet (elite)
• This season: 43.0% from that range
• Inside 5-9 feet: Down from 54.0% to 43.9%

The numbers tell the story—Kawhi Leonard is not himself.

A Superstar with a Shrinking Impact

The worst part? His presence on the court isn’t even making the Clippers better.

Since February, the Clippers' net rating is actually worse with Kawhi on the floor:

• When Kawhi plays: Clippers get outscored by 2.0 points per 100 possessions
• When Kawhi sits: Clippers get outscored by 1.9 points per 100 possessions

In other words, his impact has become nearly neutral.

For a player the Clippers expected to be a "nuclear weapon" in big games, this is a serious problem.

Sure, the buzzer-beater was vintage Kawhi, but it doesn’t erase the reality of his season.

The Good News and the Bad News

The Good? There’s Still Time.

The Clippers have around 20 games left in the regular season.

If Kawhi can find his rhythm, get healthy, and regain his touch, he’s still capable of swinging a playoff series.

One thing hasn’t changed—when locked in, Kawhi Leonard can be the ultimate X-factor.

The Bad? The Clippers Are on Thin Ice.

Right now, the Clippers are stuck in the Play-In mix.

If they don’t climb the standings, they’ll have one game to save their season—and in a one-game elimination format, anything can happen.

If Kawhi doesn’t elevate his game, there’s no guarantee they even make the playoffs.

Kawhi’s Legacy: Time to Prove Something

Back in 2019, Kawhi Leonard was a top-three player in the world. That shot against Philly? One of the greatest moments in NBA history.

But that was six years ago.

Since then, Kawhi has played for six seasons in LA—and he’s missed nearly as many games as he’s played.

This season, his injuries, inconsistency, and declining efficiency have raised a real question:

Is Kawhi Leonard still a superstar?

Right now, the answer is no.

But the season isn’t over.

That buzzer-beater? Maybe it was a turning point. Maybe it was just a flash of the past.

Either way, Kawhi Leonard has 20 games to prove he’s still that guy.