Kawhi Leonard Disappoints NBA Fans in Clippers' Brutal Loss to RJ Barrett, Raptors

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard struggled in a Sunday night reunion with his former team.

Leonard went 6-for-18 from the field for 14 points as a Clippers team missing Norman Powell conceded an 115-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors, who lost 10 straight games earlier this season, claimed their sixth win in seven thanks in part to 20 points from RJ Barrett.

The game marked the first time Leonard lost during a game at Scotiabank Arena since Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, per Clippers reporter Justin Russo.

Before the game, the Raptors honored Leonard alongside Powell and Danny Green for the contributions to Toronto's 2019 run as part of the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration.

Leonard did not make his 2024-25 season debut until Jan. 5 after sitting out the first half of the campaign with right knee inflammation.

The same problem sidelined him for the end of the 2023-24 regular season and the beginning of the 2024 postseason. It also stopped him from representing Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

While playing under a minutes restriction, Leonard had averaged 16.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per night heading into Sunday.

He then struggled with shooting accuracy against the Raptors, going 1-for-5 from behind the arc and making just one of four free throw attempts.

Leonard also struggled with four turnovers, several of which were caused by Barrett's aggressive defense. His game ended with two straight missed free throws in the fourth quarter.

The Clippers fall to 28-21 with the loss. Leonard's team is in danger of losing the final guaranteed playoff spot in the West to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Leonard and the Clippers return to action with a Tuesday home game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, who headed into Sunday half a game ahead of the Clippers for the fifth seed in the West.

The Clippers will hope for the return of Powell and better accuracy from Leonard as they prepare for a game that could have serious impact on the conference standings.