The 2026 NBA All-Star Game was full of surprises. One of the biggest surprises was when Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers had a 31-point quarter for the USA Team Stripes. Leonard put on a show and went 6-for-7 from deep to lead the team to a 48-45 win over Team World. He also knocked down a game-winning shot from deep to give the team the victory.
Overall, Leonard had 37 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the final event of the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The two-time champion did not disappoint and gave the fans at Intuit Dome something to cheer for. Following his strong outing, the Clippers star had a blunt reaction to his impressive outing.
“I made my first one, it just kept going from there with some pace and they kept falling. So, I just kept it going,” Leonard said.
31 points in 12 minutes.
TAKE A BOW, KAWHI LEONARD 👏 pic.twitter.com/THJOyksX7i
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2026
Initially, Leonard wasn’t supposed to be part of the event. He wasn’t voted by the coaches to be an All-Star when the reserves were announced. However, Commissioner Adam Silver selected him to give one of the USA teams the required eight players for the game.
In the end, his addition was important, since he showed up on both ends of the floor. And the home crowd had someone to cheer for.
Kawhi Leonard reacts to Chris Paul’s retirement
On Friday, former NBA star Chris Paul announced his retirement. Before the start of the 2025-26 season, he signed a one-year deal with the Clippers, a team with which he had several seasons of success during his prime. But that didn’t work out, as he was shut down by the team and traded to the Toronto Raptors ahead of the deadline.
During the All-Star Weekend, Kawhi Leonard had something to say about his former teammate’s decision.
“He’s always been great,” Leonard told senior NBA insider Chris Haynes ahead of All-Star Weekend. “A leader, a guy that cares about his family as well, gives you advice on and off the floor. He used to be one of my favorite players coming up, watched him a lot growing up.”
Caught up with Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in LA in advance of the All-Star game on Sunday. Touched on a multitude of topics including if guys will play hard. pic.twitter.com/ppgZi4L5uU
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 14, 2026
Leonard congratulated Paul on his legendary career.
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