“Tough Cover” Kawhi Leonard Impresses Kevin Durant Despite First Defeat in Suns Jersey: “Make It As Tough as We Can On Him”

The Phoenix Suns entered the postseason as one of the favorites to clinch the NBA championship. Moreover, the Suns hadn’t lost a single game when they had Kevin Durant in the line-up. Unfortunately, even the Slim Reaper couldn’t change the tide during the close game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Additionally, Durant opened up about the Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and his clutch performance in the first game during the press interaction.

Durant has had a frustrating season so far dealing with two injuries. However, he made himself game-ready right before the postseason. Phoenix would fancy their chances for the title this year, with Devin Booker and Durant in their prime form. Meanwhile, Leonard’s brilliant 3-point outbursts in the fourth quarter left the Suns unsettled. 

Kawhi Leonard impressed Kevin Durant with his clutch-game

Kevin Durant addressed the press after the close loss on Sunday. When a reporter asked about the team’s lapses in the final 5 minutes of the game, he credited the Clippers for their performance. He said, “Those three 3s they hit late in the fourth quarter was huge.” Later, another reporter asked about Leonard’s game in the game. He said, “He’s a… tough cover, he can score from all areas… He made some big 3s in the fourth quarter. He is an all-time player.”

However, the 12x NBA All-Star didn’t let his guard down as he also hinted at the game plan to restrict Leonard in the coming games.

Read More – “That’s Pretty Smart Business If You’re a Team…”: Kevin Durant Offered Blunt Take on One of NBA’s Most Polarizing Issue

Durant said, “We got to continue to be physical and deny his catches and make it as tough as we can on him.” Notably, Durant went one-on-one against Leonard during the final few seconds of the game and, importantly, the Clippers couldn’t get the ball to their go-to clutch player. 

The Clippers snatch the game away in the last moments

Even though the Clippers scored crucial three-pointers in the last quarter, the Suns kept their deficit under two. However, Russell Westbrook’s rebounding skills almost kept the ball possession with the Clippers in the final five minutes. In the end, the Clippers sealed a tight 115-110 win. 

With the brewing cold war with Charles Barkley, Durant would look to bounce back in the coming games. 

Watch This Story – “Fam Just Deal With it”: Days After Tarnishing Charles Barkley, 2x Champion Kevin Durant Slams NBA Legend’s “Sensitive” Remark

What do you make of Kevin Durant’s statement on Kawhi Leonard’s clutch game? Let us know in the comments below.