The saying “game recognizes game” was evident in Wednesday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to a 153-128 victory over Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. Despite the loss, Edwards acknowledged his admiration for Leonard.
Anthony Edwards respects Kawhi Leonard’s talent
Edwards remarked, “Kawhi [Leonard] may be one of the best players to ever play the game when he’s healthy… many of his peers feel the same way,” during his post-game comments.
He added, “If he’s healthy, 100%, there ain’t no stopping Kawhi [Leonard].”
Edwards’ assessment aligns with Leonard’s performance this season. Against the Timberwolves, Leonard scored 45 points in just 32 minutes, achieving an impressive 75 percent shooting rate by making 15 of 20 attempts and hitting 6 of 9 from three-point range.
Adding to his stats, he shot 90 percent from the free-throw line, along with five rebounds and five assists, validating Edwards’ praise of Leonard’s play.
Kawhi Leonard’s standout season
Leonard has consistently performed well throughout the 2025-26 season, scoring over 20 points in every game since November 25. Recently, he scored 30 points twice in March and four times since February 20, all while maintaining a shooting percentage above 50 percent in most games during that period.
Currently, Leonard averages 28.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 51 games, with a 50.3 percent shooting rate. Notably, he’s already played more games than all of last season (37).
If the Clippers were positioned higher in the standings, Leonard would likely be in the MVP discussion. He is on track to play his most games since 68 in the 2023-24 season and to reach 60 games for only the third time in the last seven years, a feat that started when he led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title.
Overall, Leonard is on a strong path toward the Basketball Hall of Fame, especially considering, as mentioned by Edwards, his skill on both ends of the court as one of the best two-way players.
His resume includes being a seven-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA First Team member, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time champion (2014, 2019), and two-time Finals MVP.
While injuries and load management have affected his reputation, the respect from his fellow players remains strong, regardless of outside opinions.