The Dallas Mavericks showed no mercy when plummeting the Los Angeles Clippers within the walls of their own palace. Luka Doncic was ferocious all night, leading the way with 35 points. Leading 3-2, the Mavericks now have the opportunity to shut the series down in six games at the American Airlines Center.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are in dire need of going back to the drawing board. Following sensational performances by both Paul George and James Harden in Game 5, tonight they only combined to score 22 points. They visibly needed someone else to defer to, and the man who is usually there to bail them out is Kawhi Leonard.

The Klaw is currently nursing his right knee inflammation. The Clippers guard has only played in two of the five games in the tight first-round series. He didn’t look comfortable on the court, failing to make a single three in either of those games. As a Clipper fan, they might be envisioning what a matchup would look like for them with a healthy two-time Finals MVP.

During the recent episode of Gil’s Arena, the crew discussed Leonard’s injury and how the NBA’s new rule contributed to his ailment.

Kawhi Leonard tried to prove everyone wrong

Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young, and Kenyon Martin spoke about the latest rumors of the Clippers potentially losing Paul George after this season. Martin was more curious about Kawhi Leonard. “He wants to play,” said the former  Clippers forward. Accounting for his current status, Martin asked the crowd whether the Clippers should have kept managing the Klaw in the same manner as the previous years.

The six-time All-Star has been the victim of scrutiny in recent years due to what the NBA world thinks is ‘load management’. Leonard hadn’t played over 60 games since 2017. When he became a Clipper, there was a pattern of resting him to ensure his availability for the playoffs. But after the new 65-game rule and stricter punishments, it seems they abandoned those plans.

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Moreover, Agent Zero feels Leonard tried to make a point when he played 68 games in the regular season. Sadly, it came with the price of him missing the postseason. “They put a rule in for him. He gets over the rule but what happens is boom. Because he ran his knee to get to that 68 to prove everybody wrong, you don’t have him when you need him,” said Arenas.

Whether Kawhi Leonard tried to prove his desire to play or he truly felt healthy can’t be speculated. But one thing is for sure, the series would have looked a lot different if a two-time champion was fully prepared for Mavericks. Lacking such a significant presence in the most important time of the year has wounded the Clippers.

Now their backs are on the wall. It is up to the remaining forces to keep their season alive. Do you think Kawhi Leonard will get a chance to perform in this year’s playoffs? Let us know what you think in the comments below.