History of Kawhi Leonard in Timeline
Kawhi Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, he has earned numerous accolades including two NBA championships, six All-Star selections, five All-NBA Team selections, seven All-Defensive Team selections, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Known for his exceptional defensive skills and large hands, he has earned the nicknames "Claw" and "Klaw." In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
January 18, 2008: Tragic Death of Kawhi Leonard's Father
Kawhi Leonard's father, Mark Leonard, was shot and killed on January 18, 2008, at his car wash in Compton. Despite the tragedy, Kawhi insisted on playing in his basketball game the following evening, showcasing his dedication to the sport even in the face of personal loss. As of 2022, the murder remains unsolved.
June 10, 2014: Leonard Scores Career-High 29 Points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals
On June 10, 2014, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Kawhi Leonard scored a then career-high 29 points, helping the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-92 win over the Miami Heat. The Spurs went on to win the series 4-1.
November 10, 2014: Leonard Scores Season-High 26 Points Despite Blurred Vision
On November 10, 2014, still suffering from blurred vision, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 26 points, leading the San Antonio Spurs to an 89-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
January 16, 2015: Leonard Returns from Injury with 20 Points, Leading Spurs to Victory
On January 16, 2015, Kawhi Leonard returned to action after missing 15 games due to a hand injury. He recorded 20 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 110-96 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
July 16, 2015: Leonard Re-signs with the Spurs
On July 16, 2015, Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs on a five-year, $90 million contract.
2015: Offensive Growth and Development
From the 2015-2016 season onwards, Kawhi Leonard transitioned from being known primarily for his defense to becoming a key offensive player, establishing himself as one of the most efficient scorers in the league. His offensive versatility includes hitting shots from midrange and 3-point range, posting up opponents, and shooting pull-up jumpers and fadeaways.
January 21, 2016: Leonard Named an All-Star Game Starter
On January 21, 2016, Kawhi Leonard was named as a starter to the Western Conference team for the 2016 All-Star Game, earning his first All-Star selection and becoming the sixth Spurs player in franchise history to be selected as an All-Star starter.
March 23, 2016: Leonard Scores 32 Points as Spurs Extend Home Winning Streak
On March 23, 2016, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a 112-88 win over the Miami Heat, helping the Spurs extend their franchise-record home winning streak to 45 games.
October 25, 2016: Leonard Sets Career-High 35 Points in Season Opener
On October 25, 2016, Kawhi Leonard recorded a career-high 35 points and five steals in a 129-100 win over the Golden State Warriors in the season opener.
January 14, 2017: Leonard Sets New Career High with 38 Points
On January 14, 2017, Kawhi Leonard set a new career-high with 38 points in a 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first Spur to record three consecutive 30-point games since Tony Parker in 2012.
February 13, 2017: Leonard Scores 32 Points, Spurs Extend Winning Seasons Streak
On February 13, 2017, Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points in a 110-106 win over the Indiana Pacers, marking his fifth straight 30-point game. With this victory, the Spurs extended their streak of consecutive winning seasons to a league-record 20.
April 15, 2017: Leonard Matches Postseason High with 32 Points in Playoff Opener
On April 15, 2017, Kawhi Leonard matched his postseason high with 32 points in a 111-82 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
2018: Endorsement Deal with New Balance
In 2018, Kawhi Leonard signed a multi-year endorsement deal with New Balance, a significant move in the world of athletic footwear and apparel. This partnership marked his transition away from his previous endorsement deal with Nike's Air Jordan brand.
June 2019: Lawsuit Against Nike over Logo Copyright
In June 2019, Kawhi Leonard filed a federal lawsuit against Nike alleging that the company had copyrighted his "Klaw" logo without his consent. This legal action demonstrated Leonard's commitment to protecting his personal brand and intellectual property.
2019: Improvement in Playmaking Abilities
While initially considered to have a weakness in playmaking, Kawhi Leonard significantly improved his passing game in the 2019-2020 season, achieving a career-high average of 4.9 assists per game. This marked a near doubling of his previous career average, demonstrating his development as a well-rounded player.
January 2020: Connection to Kobe Bryant's Tragic Death
In January 2020, following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard revealed that he had shared the same pilot, Ara Zobayan. This personal connection to the devastating event underscored the fragility of life and the impact of Bryant's passing on the basketball community.
May 3, 2021: Announcement of Hip Hop Album and Philanthropic Endeavors
Kawhi Leonard, in his first-ever Instagram Live session on May 3, 2021, announced the release of his hip hop album, "Culture Jam." Describing the project as a fusion of hip hop and basketball, he shared a snippet of a track featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Rod Wave. The album aimed to benefit a charitable organization established in memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, showcasing Leonard's interest in music and philanthropy.
July 23, 2021: Release of Songs from "Culture Jam" Album
On July 23, 2021, Kawhi Leonard released two songs, "Waves" and "Everything Different," from his upcoming "Culture Jam" album. This marked Leonard's first foray into the music industry, demonstrating his creative pursuits beyond basketball.
2021: Recognition as One of the Greatest NBA Players
In 2021, The Athletic ranked Kawhi Leonard as the 34th greatest player in NBA history in their list of the top 75 players of all time, commemorating the NBA's 75th anniversary. Leonard's ranking reflects his status as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, known for his athleticism, size, and intelligence.
2022: Notable Games and Achievements in 2022 Season
During the 2022 season, Kawhi Leonard had several notable performances, including tying his career high with seven three-pointers against the Golden State Warriors on February 14th, scoring a season-high 44 points against the Sacramento Kings on February 24th, and recording 25 points and a season-high 15 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns on April 9th. He also earned his eighth career NBA Player of the Week Award on April 10th for his performance in the final week of the regular season.
April 2023: Conviction of Kawhi Leonard's Sister
In April 2023, Kawhi Leonard's sister, Kimesha Williams, was sentenced to life in prison for her role in a murder. This event added to the personal challenges faced by Kawhi, highlighting the complexities of his family history.
December 8, 2023: Season-High Scoring Performance Against Utah Jazz
On December 8, 2023, Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 41 points against the Utah Jazz, along with five rebounds and five assists. This game included a season-high 14 field goals made in 23 attempts.
January 10, 2024: Contract Extension with the Clippers
On January 10, 2024, Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers worth $153 million.