LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard added another accomplishment to his already incredible NBA career, eclipsing the 10,000 career points mark. The Los Angeles Clippers needed all 35 of Leonard's points Sunday afternoon as they narrowly escaped with a 130-127 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls.
Leonard reached the milestone during his flamethrower of a third quarter, where he scored 21 of his 35 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 from beyond the arc.
“We gave him the game ball and started clapping and said congratulations on 10,000 points,” Tyronn Lue said after the game.
Leonard, however, claimed he had no idea that he even reached the milestone.
“No, I didn’t,” Kawhi Leonard said after the win. “It's a stepping stone, but to be honest, I really don’t care about it. I’m here in the league just to play basketball, play hard, and trying to win games and the rest is just — it comes with it, pretty much.
“[It's] just hard work and dedication. I've spent hours in the gym trying to get here. Nothing was expected of me. Pretty much just grinding it out every day and have my mind set on a goal.”
Krunch time Kawhi!@kawhileonard lead the @LAClippers on a 2nd half surge to beat the #Bulls!#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/VNbn4BrpNs
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) January 10, 2021
Leonard became the fifth member of the 2011 NBA Draft class to reach the 10,000-point plateau after Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Tobias Harris.
The 29-year-old Kawhi Leonard has quite a few accolades to his name. He's a two-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time NBA All-Star, a six-time All-Defensive Team member, and a four-time All-NBA member.
Leonard also says he hasn't really sat down to reflect on his NBA career, but is instead focused on living in the moment.
“You don’t know what you’re doing until you stop doing it,” Leonard added. “I’m still playing basketball, my eye is on the next day, next game, trying to just get better. Maybe when I retire I’ll sit back and look at the accomplishments, but right now it’s about being greedy and wanting more.”
"Not at all. You don't know what you're doing til you stop doing it… Maybe when I retire, I'll sit back and look at the accomplishments, but right now, it's about being greedy and wanting more."
Kawhi Leonard (featuring my dog) on whether he reflects on career accomplishments. pic.twitter.com/lJxOtoiXnx
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 11, 2021
Kawhi Leonard will aim to continue his stellar play as the Clippers keep barreling through the regular season en route to the playoffs.
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