Kawhi Leonard’s lefty jump hook beats the Kings in overtime.
A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.
* * *
Kawhi Leonard is no stranger to a friendly bounce.
One of the six-time All-Star’s most iconic moments came in the 2019, when Leonard left everyone stunned with one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in NBA history. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Kawhi stunned the 76ers and sent his Raptors to the East Finals with a corner fadeaway shot that bounced four times on the rim before finally dropping. The shot sparked the Raptors, who would go on to win their first NBA title and earn Kawhi his second ring.
So it was no surprise Sunday when Leonard once again used a soft rim to save the Clippers 111-110 in OT. Down one with 22 seconds left, Leonard decided to put the game into his hands — and delivered, getting into the lane and hitting a left-handed shot over several defenders while, yes, getting the friendly bounce. His shot bounced off the back iron, then spun toward the front of the rim where it bounced lightly before dropping down for the victory.
WHAT A SHOT BY KAWHI LEONARD.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 10, 2025
GAME SITUATION: The Clippers and Kings both entered Sunday’s contest knowing every win is crucial for securing postseason spots in the loaded West. The Clippers began the night eighth in the standings, with Sacramento right behind them at ninth. With just over a month left in the regular season, there’s still time to climb out of the Play-In Tournament, which might explain the intense atmosphere at Intuit Dome on Sunday. In a game that featured 23 lead changes, the Kings had a chance to win in regulation, but Zach LaVine did not get a friendly bounce of his own, seeing his fadeaway at the buzzer clank off the iron and off the front rim, setting up the OT heroics.
In OT, the back-and-forth battle continued, with DeMar DeRozan giving the Kings the lead with a pair of free throws with 21.6 seconds left. Leonard had struggled all night to find his shot to that point, going 6-for-18 from the field and hitting just 1-of-7 from 3-point range. But nothing was going to stop him from taking the final shot, and he clearly didn’t want to leave any room for a second OT.
DIFFICULTY: The play wasn’t overly complex. It’s a shot we’ve seen Kawhi make over and over again. Matched up against Keegan Murray, Leonard let the clock tick down to six seconds before backing down into the paint, then spinning left to get around Murray and loft a lefty floater over onrushing 7-footer Jonas Valančiūnas.
The ball bounced twice before dropping through the net and sending Clippers fans home with a memorable victory.
CELEBRATION: Kawhi, not exactly known for his exuberance, immediately pumped his fist before brushing past Bogdan Bogdanovic to run into the backcourt, where his bench teammates were waiting to celebrate with the hero. James Harden joined the small scrum to draw a huge smile and from Kawhi, and the pair embraced in a moment of pure joy.
MOOD‼️
how we feelin’ #ClipperNation? pic.twitter.com/Myxu8BsWmr
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 10, 2025
GRADE: The shot wasn’t a Game 7 winner in the playoffs, but it could go down as one of Kawhi’s more memorable moments in his time with the Clippers. The game-winner sent the Clippers to their third straight win and could give them a boost in their hunt for a postseason berth. With every contest meaning so much now in the playoff race, Kawhi’s soft touch — and two friendly bounces — might be just what the Clippers need to turn around their up-and-down season. 3 1/2 Horrys.
