Leonard's Resurgent Form Fuels Clippers' Season Revival Amidst Historic Streak

The Los Angeles Clippers, once teetering on the brink of an irrecoverable season, have dramatically reversed their fortunes, propelled by an extraordinary winning streak anchored by Kawhi Leonard’s dominant play. On December 18, the Clippers’ season reached a nadir, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. This loss marked their tenth in eleven games, plummeting their record to a dismal 6-21, tied for the third-worst in the NBA at the time. As the holiday season approached, the franchise faced a bleak outlook: five games adrift of the final Play-In Tournament berth in the Western Conference, swirling trade rumors, and the impracticality of tanking given their 2026 first-round draft pick already belonged to the Thunder.

However, in a stunning turn of events over the subsequent two weeks, the Clippers have emerged as the league’s hottest team. As the New Year commences, they boast the NBA’s longest active winning streak, now standing at six consecutive victories. This remarkable run has elevated their record to 12-21, positioning them just 1.5 games outside the Play-In spots in a tightly contested Western Conference. Over this period, their performance metrics have been league-leading, registering an offensive rating of 127.2, a defensive rating of 105.6, and an unparalleled net rating of +21.6.

"We’re still trying to get better individually and as a unit," Kawhi Leonard remarked following the team’s recent victory over the Utah Jazz. "We might not be contenders but we just gotta keep fighting." While the Clippers still face a substantial challenge to salvage their season, the prevailing sense of hopelessness has dissipated, replaced by a cautious optimism. A closer examination reveals the multifaceted factors behind this resurgence and the crucial question of its sustainability.

Kawhi Leonard’s Brilliant Resurgence

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Central to the Clippers’ dramatic turnaround is the electrifying play of Kawhi Leonard, who has reminded the league of his elite status when fully healthy. Since the 2016-17 season, the last time he played 70 or more games, Leonard has appeared in only 358 of a possible 669 regular season contests (53.5%) across his tenures with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Clippers. His recent performances underscore the undeniable impact he has when available.

During the six-game winning streak, the 32-year-old Leonard has averaged an astounding 39 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, achieving remarkable shooting splits of 53.2% from the field, 44.1% from three-point range, and 93.5% from the free-throw line. This span includes three 40-point outbursts, highlighted by a career-high 55 points against the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons on December 28.

Notably, Leonard’s exceptional five-game stretch within this streak saw him average over 40 points on 50/40/90 shooting splits while maintaining a perfect team record. According to Opta Sports, this achievement places him alongside Kobe Bryant as the only players in league history to accomplish such a feat. This statistical parallel not only emphasizes Leonard’s current dominance but also draws a direct comparison to one of the game’s most revered scoring legends.

A significant indicator of Leonard’s renewed health and confidence is his increased aggression attacking the basket. In the last six games, he has attempted 29 shots in the restricted area, matching the total from his first 17 games of the season. He has converted these attempts at an impressive 75.9% rate and has thrown down nine dunks, a clear sign of his trust in his body. A thunderous slam against the Portland Trail Blazers served as a visual testament to this re-emerging physicality.

Furthermore, Leonard has expanded his offensive repertoire, taking more three-pointers than ever before. Against the Jazz, he launched a career-high 16 attempts from beyond the arc. Over the entire six-game streak, he is shooting 44.1% on an elevated 9.8 attempts per night. Following the Clippers’ victory over the Rockets, Leonard stated his intention to "get as many 3s up as possible," signaling a strategic shift in his offensive approach.

Leonard’s presence on the court during this streak has been transformative for the team. The Clippers have outscored their opponents by a remarkable 117 points in the 230 minutes he has played. For the season, the team holds a 10-13 record with Leonard in the lineup, contrasting sharply with their 2-8 record in his absence. Their net rating stands at a positive +2.7 when he plays, plummeting to -5.5 when he is off the floor. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged this impact, stating after Leonard’s career-high performance, "Finally getting healthy, finally being able to play enough minutes to be very, very effective. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the top guys in the league. We’ve been able to see that as of late."

However, the enduring qualifier for Leonard remains "when he’s healthy." His ability to maintain this level of availability and performance consistently over the remainder of the three-plus month season will undoubtedly be the primary determinant of the Clippers’ playoff aspirations.

Three-Point Dynamics: Volume, Efficiency, and Defensive Fortitude

Under head coach Tyronn Lue since 2020, the Clippers have consistently prioritized an inside-out offensive approach, rarely ranking higher than 14th in three-point attempts per game, yet never falling below seventh in three-point percentage. Early this season, while adhering to their established philosophy, they struggled to convert enough three-pointers to compensate for the lower volume.

During their six-game winning streak, however, a noticeable shift has occurred. Their three-point attempts have significantly increased, with their 51 attempts against the Jazz on Thursday marking the second-most in franchise history. Crucially, they have made at least 14 three-pointers in each of their victories.

A statistical comparison highlights this transformation:	Period	3PA	3P%	League Ranks (3PA / 3P%)
First 27 games	35.5	35.1%	20th / 20th
Last 6 games	40.5	41.2%	t-7th / 3rd

"If they’re good shots," Lue commented when asked about the increased volume against the Jazz. "You gotta take those shots, that’s the way the game is being played nowadays."

Beyond Leonard, several Clippers have contributed to this three-point surge. Brook Lopez, Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn, John Collins, and Kobe Sanders are all shooting at least 38.5% on two or more attempts per game during the streak. Curiously, James Harden, a historically prolific three-point shooter, has been an outlier, converting just 30% on 8.3 attempts per game during this period.

The team’s shot quality during the streak reveals both strengths and potential concerns. The Clippers are shooting a league-best 50.5% on wide-open three-pointers (closest defender six-plus feet away) and 38.5% (fourth-best) on pull-up three-pointers. However, they are tied for 15th in wide-open three-point attempts per game (19) and rank second in pull-up three-pointers (13). Relying heavily on pull-up jumpers, which are inherently tougher shots, raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such high efficiency.

Equally impactful has been the Clippers’ dramatic improvement in three-point defense. They have transitioned from the league’s worst three-point defense over the first 27 games to the best during their current winning streak.

Period	Opp. 3PA	Opp. 3P%	Opp. League Ranks (3PA / 3P%)
First 27 games	37.4	38.9%	20th / 30th
Last 6 games	31.7	27.9%	4th / 1st

The return of Derrick Jones Jr. from a knee injury has undoubtedly bolstered their perimeter defense. Furthermore, facing opponents like the Rockets, Kings, and Pistons, who rank 30th, 29th, and 28th respectively in three-point attempts per game, may have also contributed. Crucially, opponents have simply been missing open shots at an unusually high rate.

An analysis of opponent wide-open and open three-point shooting during the streak illustrates this point:

Period	Wide-Open 3PA	Wide-Open 3P%	League Ranks (3PA / 3P%)
First 27 games	18.7	42%	11th / 28th
Last 6 games	17	34.1%	t-8th / 5th

Period	Open 3PA	Open 3P%	League Ranks (3PA / 3P%)
First 27 games	15.4	37.3%	26th / 29th
Last 6 games	12	23.3%	5th / 1st

While the Clippers allowed a similar number of wide-open and open three-pointers during the streak compared to earlier in the season, opponents converted them at a significantly lower rate. The precipitous drop in opponent open three-point percentage is particularly noteworthy. This suggests that while the Clippers may have been somewhat unlucky early in the season, they have experienced a considerable degree of shooting luck during their recent winning run. The sustainability of this defensive anomaly will face a rigorous test in their upcoming three games against the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and New York Knicks—all teams known for their high-volume three-point offenses.

The Unexpected Contributions of Youth: Niederhäuser and Sanders

The Clippers’ offseason strategy centered on acquiring veteran experience, resulting in the oldest roster in NBA history on opening night, with an average age of 33.2 years. Key additions included Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, and John Collins, alongside re-signings of James Harden and Nicolas Batum. However, this veteran-heavy approach initially faltered. Beal played just six games before a hip injury ruled him out for the season, while Paul was notably removed from the team early last month.

Forced to adapt due to injuries and underperformance, Coach Lue has turned to a pair of unexpected contributors: rookies Yanic Konan Niederhäuser and Kobe Sanders. These two newcomers, who were recent draft selections, have injected a much-needed dose of youth and athleticism into the lineup. In the victory over the Jazz, the duo combined for 16 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks on 7-of-14 shooting, showcasing their immediate impact.

Lue praised Niederhäuser’s energy after his 16-point, six-rebound performance against the Kings, highlighting his ability to "sprint the pick-and-rolls and get out of the rolls fast enough to get behind the defense." Lue also noted his effectiveness defensively at the rim, either blocking or altering shots.

During the six-game winning streak, Niederhäuser has averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and one block on an efficient 61.1% shooting from the field in 18.4 minutes per game. Sanders has also made a notable contribution, averaging 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 55.6% shooting in 18.8 minutes a night.

Their emergence has provided a crucial spark, adding pace and defensive versatility that the veteran roster initially lacked. However, their long-term roles in the rotation remain uncertain, particularly with the anticipated returns of established big man Ivica Zubac and wing Bogdan Bogdanovic. Lue will face the challenge of integrating returning veterans while potentially carving out minutes for these promising rookies, who have demonstrated their capacity to contribute effectively, at least during the regular season.

The Clippers’ season, once appearing lost, has been dramatically revitalized by a potent combination of Kawhi Leonard’s elite individual performance, a strategic shift in three-point dynamics, and the unexpected contributions from their youthful reserves. While challenges, particularly concerning Leonard’s health and the sustainability of their shooting and defensive metrics, persist, the team has undeniably altered its trajectory and re-entered the Western Conference playoff conversation. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this streak signifies a true turning point or a temporary reprieve in a season of fluctuating fortunes.

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