INGLEWOOD — Kawhi Leonard let the slightest smirk evade the corner of his mouth as he stoically swayed during the player introductions before Sunday’s new-look NBA All-Star Game.
No nod, no wave for his Intuit Dome crowd. Leonard’s silence, a cornerstone of the seven-time All-Star’s personality, is part of what makes the 34-year-old Moreno Valley product a compelling figure in the NBA. But across All-Star Weekend, Leonard made nothing but noise on his name alone.
Talk about the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s snub-turned-selection for the festivities. Chat about his views on the All-Star Game’s ever-evolving formats. Or listen to NBA commissioner Adam Silver answer hot-button questions on Leonard and the league’s ongoing investigation into potential salary cap infractions involving the Clippers. Leonard answered the noise himself by doing what he does best: playing competitive basketball.
“When I come in to play basketball, I’ve got one way,” Leonard said. “Obviously nobody is trying to get hurt. I’m going to try to attack, try to get some shots up. I don’t like people just scoring on me.”
“The Klaw” was not named the All-Star Game MVP, but the Clippers’ forward made Sunday evening memorable with an offensive flurry for Team USA Stripes. Leonard’s shots kept going down during a dominant display in the round-robin tournament’s third mini-game against Victor Wembanyama and Team World. Leonard poured in 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting (6 for 7 from 3-point range) across a 12-minute span to remember.
“We got a guy like Kawhi going for 30, making every shot,” Wembanyama said. “I started guarding him for sure. Tried my best.”
Leonard played all 12 minutes in two of his team’s three games. He made his first seven shots with five 3-pointers amid raucous cheers. To finish off Team World, Leonard challenged Karl-Anthony Towns one-on-one at the top of the key, draining a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left in a 48-45 win as he pointed to the Clipper fan-laden section dubbed “The Wall” as they chanted his name.
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, who coached Leonard and Team Stripes to a runner-up finish, said Leonard’s dominance on Sunday is a testament to his “excellence over time.” Norman Powell, who played for the Clippers from 2022-2025, said his former teammate’s All-Star takeover was just the expected when it comes to Leonard.
“Us guys putting on that jersey that’s played with him, know his approach, know his ability and know what he wants to do every single time he steps on the floor,” said Powell, who represented his Jamaican heritage with Team World on Sunday.
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox recalled working out with Leonard in San Diego during the offseason a few years ago, watching his now-All-Star teammate flex his strength on the court, placing purpose into every dribble, shot and free throw, he said.
It’s why, Fox says, Leonard is one of the “top-10 most-skilled” players in NBA history.
“There’s no wasted motion in anything that he does. It’s simply amazing how good he is. And that’s like, bro; that’s why no one guards you one-on-one,” Fox said. “That’s why we’re sending doubles at you. We send three guys at you. We try to make somebody else shoot the ball if you’re in the game.”
Toronto’s Brandon Ingram, who was also a late addition to the All-Star Game alongside Leonard, said he spent the weekend watching how his teammates – including the likes of Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Steph Curry – prepared with their respective routines. But when it came to watching Leonard, Ingram said, there’s nothing to observe.
Leonard lurked in the background of the All-Star hubbub, leaving his noise on the court as the only routine Ingram could watch.
“Honestly, (Leonard) don’t say nothing,” Ingram said. “He went out on the floor. He knew what he wanted to get to. He knew what he wanted to do. And he went out and did it.”