{"id":58804,"date":"2025-05-05T07:18:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=58804"},"modified":"2025-05-05T07:18:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T07:18:28","slug":"report-kawhi-leonard-facing-major-backlash-for-lakers-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=58804","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Kawhi Leonard Facing Major Backlash for Lakers Decision…"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Los Angeles Clippers’ playoff run ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the first round by the\u00a0Denver Nuggets\u00a0after losing 120-101 in Game 7.<\/p>\n

This marks the third consecutive year the Clippers have exited the playoffs in the opening round, despite high postseason expectations.<\/p>\n

In Saturday’s elimination game, the Clippers struggled offensively, with Kawhi Leonard shooting 6-of-13 for 22 points and five assists, while James Harden contributed seven points on 2-of-8 shooting.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets took control with a dominant second and third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 72-40 during that span. Denver’s balanced attack featured six players scoring in double figures, led by Aaron Gordon’s 22 points.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Los<\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27).<\/p>\n

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

In the aftermath, Lakers fans reignited discussions about Leonard’s 2019 decision to join the Clippers over the Lakers.<\/p>\n

Leonard’s decision to sign with the Clippers following his Finals MVP with the Raptors has been a point of contention. Reports suggested Leonard would have chosen the Lakers if the Clippers hadn’t traded for Paul George (via Adrian Wojnarowski).<\/p>\n

Following the Clippers’ first round exit, a trending post depicted Leonard in a Lakers jersey alongside\u00a0LeBron James\u00a0and\u00a0Anthony Davis, captioned, “You could’ve had it all, Kawhi.”<\/p>\n

Lakers fans soon flooded the comments in mockery of Leonard, suggesting he passed up a potential dynasty with the Lakers for a less successful tenure with the Clippers.<\/p>\n

\u201cChose \u2018paul george\u2019 and the ‘clippers’ over a dynasty with lebron and the lakers,\u201d one fan wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was so pissed when he chose the clippers over us,\u201d another fan mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cKawhi could of had 4 rings and bron have 6 ring,\u201d a fan added<\/p>\n

\u201cChose Pandemic P and doubled down by signing an extension and trading for Harplayoffdropper,\u201d a fourth fan posted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never understood why he didn\u2019t sign with the Lakers , could\u2019ve easily won 2\/3 rings fasho,\u201d a fan wrote.<\/p>\n

The Clippers’ inability to advance past the first round in three consecutive seasons raises questions about the team’s future.<\/p>\n

With Leonard under contract and Harden’s player option pending, the organization faces pressure to reevaluate its roster and strategies to fulfill its championship aspirations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Los Angeles Clippers’ playoff run ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the first round by the\u00a0Denver Nuggets\u00a0after losing 120-101 in Game 7. This marks the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\nREPORT: Kawhi Leonard Facing Major Backlash for Lakers Decision... - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=58804\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"REPORT: Kawhi Leonard Facing Major Backlash for Lakers Decision... - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The\u00a0Los Angeles Clippers’ playoff run ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the first round by the\u00a0Denver Nuggets\u00a0after losing 120-101 in Game 7. 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