Kawhi Leonard's First Playoff Block vs. Clippers
The night the future Clipper legend stopped his old team in their tracks.
The 2014 Western Conference First Round between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers stands as a defining moment in franchise history, marking the first postseason meeting between Kawhi Leonard and his future team. This series is legendary not for its outcome, but for the emergence of Leonard as a defensive force who would later become the cornerstone of the Clippers' championship aspirations. For Clippers fans, this block represents a bittersweet 'what if,' showcasing the very talent that would eventually arrive in Los Angeles to lead them to their first-ever conference finals.
- Series Result
- San Antonio Spurs won 4-2
- Key Player
- Kawhi Leonard (Spurs)
- Season
- 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs
- Round
- Western Conference First Round
- Notable Feat
- Leonard's elite perimeter defense
- Legacy Status
- Precursor to 2017 Trade
Lore & Background
In the spring of 2014, Kawhi Leonard was already a rising star for the San Antonio Spurs, known as 'The Klaw' for his ability to disrupt passing lanes and guard elite scorers. Facing the Clippers, who were led by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Leonard delivered a masterclass in defense that silenced the Staples Center crowd. His performance highlighted the gap between a good team and a great one, as he effectively neutralized the Clippers' offensive flow during critical moments of the series.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the AT&T Center was thick with tension as the fourth quarter wound down. Kawhi Leonard stood tall on the perimeter, eyes locked on Chris Paul. As the ball handler drove, Leonard didn't flinch; he slid laterally with predatory grace. In a split second of pure instinct, he extended his arm, intercepting the pass before it could leave Paul's hands. The crowd gasped as the Spurs broke away for a fast break, sealing another victory and leaving the Clippers to wonder how they would ever overcome such a wall.
Reader's Guide
The series opened with the Spurs taking control early, utilizing Leonard's defense to frustrate the Clippers' pick-and-roll offense. Game 1 saw San Antonio establish dominance, forcing turnovers that led to easy transition points. By Game 2, the Clippers fought back hard at Staples Center, but Leonard remained an immovable object on the defensive end, contesting shots and altering trajectories without fouling. His presence forced Los Angeles into difficult, low-percentage shots. The turning point came in Game 4, where Leonard's ability to guard multiple positions allowed the Spurs to switch everything, confusing the Clippers' offense. The series concluded with a decisive Spurs victory in Game 6, cementing Leonard's reputation as an elite two-way player before he ever donned the red and white of Los Angeles.
Did You Know?
- Kawhi Leonard was named to the All-NBA Second Team shortly after this playoff run.
- This series is often cited by analysts as the moment Leonard proved he could guard the league's best point guards.
- Leonard was traded to the Clippers in June 2017, less than three years after this matchup.