Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kawhi Leonard
Discover the career path of Kawhi Leonard, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Kawhi Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. Known as "The Claw" for his defensive prowess and large hands, he is a two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, and six-time All-NBA Team member. Leonard has earned seven All-Defensive Team selections and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice (2015, 2016). He is widely considered one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history and was selected for the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
1992: Third-best scoring total for a single NBA postseason
During the 2019 playoffs, Kawhi Leonard scored 732 points. In 1992, Michael Jordan had 759 points.
December 10, 2011: Signs Multi-Year Deal with Spurs
On December 10, 2011, following the conclusion of the NBA lockout, Kawhi Leonard signed a multi-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
2011: NBA Scouts' Opinions
In 2011, NBA scouts recognized Kawhi Leonard's strong work ethic and physical attributes, but found him "difficult to pin down", noting he was known more for his defense than offense.
October 26, 2012: Spurs Exercise Team Option
On October 26, 2012, the Spurs exercised the team option on Kawhi Leonard, re-signing him through the 2013-14 season.
2012: NBA All-Rookie First Team
At the end of the 2012 season, Kawhi Leonard was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
2012: Rising Stars Challenge Selection
In 2012, Kawhi Leonard was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge as a member of Team Chuck, but he did not play due to a calf strain. He was also promoted to the starting small forward position for the Spurs.
2012: USA Men's Basketball Select Team
In the summer of 2012, Kawhi Leonard was chosen to play for the 2012 USA men's basketball Select Team, training with the Olympic team.
April 6, 2014: Season-High 26 Points
On April 6, 2014, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 26 points in the Spurs' 112-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
June 10, 2014: Career-High 29 Points in NBA Finals
On June 10, 2014, during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Kawhi Leonard scored a then career-high 29 points in a 111–92 victory against the Miami Heat.
November 10, 2014: Season-High 26 Points Against Clippers
On November 10, 2014, despite suffering from blurred vision, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 26 points in the Spurs' 89-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
2014: NBA Championship and Finals MVP with Spurs
In 2014, Kawhi Leonard won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player, marking a significant milestone in his career.
January 16, 2015: Returns to Action After Injury
On January 16, 2015, Kawhi Leonard returned to action after missing 15 games due to a hand injury, recording 20 points in a win against the Portland Trail Blazers.
July 16, 2015: Re-signs with Spurs
On July 16, 2015, Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs to a five-year, $90 million contract.
2015: Increased Offensive Role
In 2015, Kawhi Leonard began taking on a larger offensive role with his team and established himself as one of the most efficient scorers in the league.
2015: Defensive Player of the Year
In 2015, Kawhi Leonard earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, showcasing his defensive prowess in the NBA.
2015: Played in Team USA Showcase Game
In 2015, Kawhi Leonard played in Team USA's Showcase game, scoring 14 points for the USA White Team.
January 21, 2016: Named All-Star Starter
On January 21, 2016, Kawhi Leonard was named as a starter for the Western Conference team for the 2016 All-Star Game, earning his first All-Star selection.
March 23, 2016: 32-Point Outing Against Heat
On March 23, 2016, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a win over the Miami Heat, extending the Spurs' home winning streak.
October 25, 2016: Career-High 35 Points in Season Opener
On October 25, 2016, in the Spurs' season opener, Kawhi Leonard recorded a career-high 35 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors.
2016: Second Defensive Player of the Year
In 2016, Kawhi Leonard won Defensive Player of the Year honors for a second consecutive year, solidifying his reputation as a top defender.
2016: Finalist for United States Olympic basketball team
Kawhi Leonard was a finalist for the 2016 United States men's Olympic basketball team roster.
January 14, 2017: New Career High of 38 Points
On January 14, 2017, Kawhi Leonard set a new career high with 38 points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
February 13, 2017: 32 Points Against Pacers
On February 13, 2017, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a win over the Indiana Pacers, marking his fifth straight 30-point game.
April 15, 2017: Matches Postseason High
On April 15, 2017, Kawhi Leonard matched his postseason high with 32 points in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
December 12, 2017: Season Debut After Injury
On December 12, 2017, Kawhi Leonard made his season debut against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the first 27 games due to a right quadriceps injury.
June 2018: Requests Trade from Spurs
In June 2018, reports surfaced that Kawhi Leonard had requested a trade from the San Antonio Spurs due to tensions over his injury rehabilitation.
2018: Third-best scoring total for a single NBA postseason
During the 2019 playoffs, Kawhi Leonard scored 732 points. In 2018, LeBron James had 748 points.
2018: Endorsement Deal with New Balance
In 2018, Kawhi Leonard reportedly signed a multi-year endorsement deal with New Balance, the multinational sports footwear and apparel corporation.
2018: Traded to the Toronto Raptors
In 2018, after seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors, beginning a new chapter in his NBA journey.
January 1, 2019: Career-High 45 Points
On January 1, 2019, Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 45 points in a 122-116 win over the Utah Jazz.
July 10, 2019: Signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
On July 10, 2019, Kawhi Leonard signed a reported three-year, $103 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, including an opt-out clause in 2021.
July 2019: Signs with Los Angeles Clippers
In July 2019, Kawhi Leonard moved to his hometown of Los Angeles and signed with the Clippers as a free agent.
October 22, 2019: Clippers Debut
On October 22, 2019, Kawhi Leonard debuted for the Clippers, scoring 30 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in a 112-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
2019: Return to action in the NBA Bubble
After the 2019-20 NBA season suspension, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers returned to action in the NBA Bubble.
2019: Led Raptors to NBA Finals and Championship
In 2019, Kawhi Leonard helped the Raptors take a 3-1 series lead against the Warriors with 36 points and 12 rebounds in game 4. He then scored 22 points in game 6 to secure the Raptors' 4-2 series victory and second NBA championship. Leonard was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time, becoming the third Finals MVP to have won the award with two teams.
2019: Improved Passing Game
In 2019, Kawhi Leonard improved his passing game, logging a career-high 4.9 assists per game, nearly doubling his career average.
January 14, 2020: Scored season-high 43 points
On January 14, 2020, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 43 points in just 29 minutes during a 128-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December 22, 2020: Season Opener win over Lakers
On December 22, 2020, Kawhi Leonard recorded 26 points and two steals in the Clippers' season opener, securing a 116-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
2020: NBA Playoffs
In 2020, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2020: Finalist for United States Olympic basketball team
Kawhi Leonard was a finalist for the 2020 United States men's Olympic basketball team roster.
August 12, 2021: Re-signed with the Clippers
On August 12, 2021, Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the Clippers on a max four-year, $176.3 million contract.
2021: Opt-out clause in contract
In 2019, Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, including an opt-out clause in 2021.
2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kawhi Leonard was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his significant contributions to the league.
October 3, 2022: Return from Injury
On October 3, 2022, Kawhi Leonard made his return from injury, scoring 11 points in a preseason win over the Trail Blazers.
2022: Led Clippers to a win over the Golden State Warriors
On February 14, 2022, Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points, tying his career high with seven three-pointers in a 134-124 win over the reigning champions Golden State Warriors.
January 10, 2023: Scored 33 points against Dallas Mavericks
On January 10, 2023, Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points against the Dallas Mavericks.
December 8, 2023: Scored season-high 41 points against Utah Jazz
On December 8, 2023, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 41 points in a win over the Utah Jazz.
January 10, 2024: Signed extension with Clippers
On January 10, 2024, Kawhi Leonard signed an extension with the Clippers for $153 million over three years.
July 10, 2024: Withdrew from Olympic Roster
On July 10, 2024, Kawhi Leonard withdrew from the Olympic roster after consultations with the Clippers and USA Basketball officials.
January 4, 2025: Made season debut
On January 4, 2025, Kawhi Leonard made his season debut, recording 12 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
