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Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the LA Clippers defeated Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, 113-107, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. In the end, it was the defense that stepped up for the Clippers, holding Denver to just 19 fourth-quarter points on 7-of-22 shooting from the field. There was one defensive play, however, that grabbed a lot of attention.
Late in the fourth quarter, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray began his aggressive drive towards the basket after getting by his defender. The help-side defender in Kawhi Leonard quickly recognized the developing play, slid over, and contested the Murray attempt the rim. Murray went up strong by trying to dunk the ball, but Leonard, who went up with both hands, came up with a magnificent block with, essentially, only his middle finger.
This incredible block by Kawhi Leonard. Wow. šš¾š« pic.twitter.com/0JkzUGqst3
ā ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 8, 2020
After the game, Leonard broke down the play for members of the media in the most Kawhi way possible.
āI just seen him penetrating and I was help-side,ā Leonard said. āSo I stepped up, tried to contest his shot. I saw that he was gonna try to dunk it, so I reached and tried to block the shot. I ended up getting the block.ā
Kawhi Leonard on his middle finger block of Jamal Murray ā āI just seen him penetrating. I was side help, so I stepped up, tried to contest his shot. I saw that he was gonna try to dunk it, so I reached and tried to block the shot. I ended up getting the block.ā#Clippers pic.twitter.com/hhdaSUCkph
ā Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 8, 2020
The block was a lot more electric than Kawhi Leonard's description of it, but you wouldn't know it based on his response. Leonard finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and two blocked shots.
Paul George finished with a game-high 32 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 40 minutes of play. To George, the play looked like his finger just kept growing in mid-air.
āThat's an extra long middle finger,ā Paul George said with a laugh. āIt kept growing or something. That's Kawhi man. Big-time player. In the midst, itās something else.ā
Paul George on Kawhi Leonardās middle finger block ā āThatās an extra long middle finger. It kept growing or something. Thatās Kawhi man. In the midst, itās something else.ā#Clippers pic.twitter.com/WrTeHdPKIx
ā Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 8, 2020
The Clippers will practice Tuesday afternoon before taking on the Nuggets in Game 4 on Wednesday night. With a Game 4 win, LA will take a 3-1 lead and be one win away from the franchise's first ever conference finals appearance.
