Kawhi Leonard was effusively complimentary of teammate Patrick Beverley, who made a game-changing play as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers attempted a late comeback as they faced a three-point deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Beverley had the size disadvantage against a bigger James but managed to play up close, defend a corner 3-pointer and deflect it off James' hands for what turned to be the game-deciding turnover. The Lakers were given the ball at first, but upon further review, the ball touched off James' left hand and out of bounds, giving the ball back to the Clippers, who sealed it with a pair at the foul line for a 111-106 win.

Leonard was impressed:

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“It was great. It was big,” said Leonard, according to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints. “I think we were up three at that point and with ‘Bron stepping back, trying to shoot a three to tie the game, being able to get a hand on the ball and get us the possession, it was pretty much the game-winning play.”

Beverley had made plenty of smart plays in the fourth quarter, but none were as impactful as his block/strip against James, getting all ball and stifling the Lakers' lone opportunity to even the score and send the game to overtime on Christmas.

The Clippers now have a 2-0 lead in the regular-season series and could have a tiebreaker favor them with one more win on Jan. 28, when the two teams are set to face each other again.