Kawhi Leonard's injury news has been back and forth, but it finally got confirmed today. He made his season debut, and as they say, actions speak louder than words. Indeed, that turned out to be the case when facing the Eastern Conference powerhouse, the Atlanta Hawks. The Clippers' confidence skyrocketed with Leonard's return, and the team's morale soared as they dominated the game. Ultimately, the Clippers secured a 131-105 victory at home, ending their two-game losing streak. We previously mentioned that Leonard's comeback would be a significant advantage for James Harden, allowing him to catch his breath.
In recent times, Harden has almost been crushed by pressure. After all, he is 35 years old, not in his prime like he was at 28 during his Houston Rockets days. If it were his Rockets era, Leonard could miss the entire regular season, and Harden could still lead the team to a top-four record by himself. However, Harden's physical condition has indeed deteriorated significantly; he has succumbed to time. The most noticeable change with Leonard's return is that Harden can focus on organizing and setting up his teammates instead of having to do everything himself.
However, there is one aspect that seems unreasonable. We initially thought Leonard would replace Dunn's role, but it turned out to be replacing Jones at the power forward position. Tyronn Lue must have had his reasons, but Leonard should ideally play the small forward position to reduce wear and tear. It's clear that Harden and Powell in the backcourt, Leonard at the three, and Jones and Zubac would make more sense. We'll see how Tyronn Lue uses Leonard going forward, especially since the team already has sufficient power forwards; there's no real need for Leonard to carry that load.
Of course, Leonard's return is visibly impressive. In the 19 minutes he played, the Clippers outscored their opponents by 22 points. He exploded in the first quarter, playing both offense and defense, while Harden facilitated the game. By halftime, the Clippers led 74-54, with Harden already tallying 13 assists. In the second half, Leonard played only three more minutes before reaching his time limit, but the Clippers continued to dominate the Hawks, even their bench players were brimming with energy—this is the value of a core player.
Harden scored 10 points and dished out 15 assists in 29 minutes, possibly his most relaxed game this season. Leonard contributed 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in 19 minutes, Powell had 20 points, and Zubac shot 9-for-11 for 18 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists. The starting lineup of the Clippers displayed their destructive power, and the bench also unleashed a barrage of firepower. Coffey scored 17 points, Porter Jr. had 15 points and 7 assists, while Jones and Mann each scored 12 points. The Clippers truly owe Harden a debt of gratitude for leading the team in the first 34 games; he transformed them into a formidable force.
Zubac and Powell have become giants alongside Harden, especially Powell, who is even more ferocious than George. The bench players also maintained their confidence due to Harden's presence. Leonard's return is akin to parachuting in an all-around superstar on top of a playoff-caliber team, transforming the Clippers into championship contenders. Even Leonard praised Harden immediately after the game, having held back for too long because he understands how tough it has been for Harden.
Leonard said, "It feels great to be back; we will only get better because I'm not yet fully adapted to the game. For me, it's like playing preseason; it might take some time. James Harden has been incredible; he did a great job during my absence. Whether it's scoring or organizing, he excelled. That's why his jersey will hang from the rafters. I will help alleviate his burden moving forward; together, we will strive to create something beautiful. Let's keep pushing forward!"