Kawhi Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time MVP, and can be a double double guy whenever he’s healthy. The Los Angeles Clippers got another double on Sunday night as he scored 55 points in the win over Eastern Conference’s no. 1 team Detroit Pistons.
“Double nickel! Write that!” his star teammate James Harden shouted while he was being interviewed for his milestone.
James Harden sitting next to Kawhi Leonard right when reporters walked in the Clippers locker room:
“Double nickel! Write that!”
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 29, 2025
As good as Leonard is, this is the first time he went past 50 points in his 15-season career. Even Harden was surprised.
“Took him long enough. How long he’s been in the league? 12, 13, 14 years? Something like that,” he said jokingly.
Leonard got into the league in 2011 as a 15th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers but was immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs where he won his first title and FMVP.
Clippers, who are struggling for most of this season, are now on their fourth straight win after the win over the Pistons.
James Harden thought Kawhi Leonard was effortless
The Beard went on to praise The Klaw saying he is happy for his teammate.
“It was a beautiful thing to see. How efficient it was. How effortless it was. It was just so smooth. Got to whatever spot he wanted to,” he continued.
Overly happy for him. Because behind the scenes, you watch somebody and how hard they work… For him, what he’s had to battle through just to go out there and look like himself, it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Kawhi’s highest scoring game before this is 45 points and it took place in 2019 when he was still part of the Toronto Raptors with whom he got his second ring and second Finals MVP.
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