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Kawhi Leonard makes his debut at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Bryan Boado for Tangent Zine.
Greeted by a packed Intuit Dome crowd of 17,927, NBA All Star Kawhi Leonard returned to action for the very first time after being sidelined for over nine months rehabbing his right knee.
Playing under a team-imposed minutes restriction, the all-star forward acquitted himself well registering 12 points, three rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes of play as the LA Clippers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 131-105.
Acknowledged for possessing one of the leading defensive ratings in the NBA this season as a team, the LA Clippers dominated from the outset with an intense defense, forcing the Atlanta Hawks into 22 turnovers and causing them to miss 50 out of their 88 field goal attempts.
Kawhi Leonard scores his first basket of the season while Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher defends. Photo by Bryan Boado for Tangent Zine.
Eight Clippers scored in double figures led by Norman Powell's 20, while Ivica Zubac had another double-double performance with 18 points and 18 rebounds. Unlike most NBA teams that relied heavily on three-point shots, the Clippers rotated the ball well tallying in 36 assists and scoring 74 points in the paint.
Trae Young scored 20 points to lead the Hawks, while De’Andre Hunter contributed 18, as they suffered their third straight on the road, bringing their record to 18-18 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks takes a three-point shot as Norman Powell of the Clippers defends. Photo by Bryan Boado for Tangent Zine.
The Clippers currently hold a 20-15 record, placing them sixth in the Western Conference standings. They are set to begin a two-game road trip, starting with a game against Minnesota on Monday, January 6, followed by a matchup with Denver on January 8.
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