Leonard unfazed even as Spurs fans jeer, boo

By the Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — The crowd in San Antonio turned on Kawhi Leonard again, showering the Clippers forward with deafening boos and angry shouts.

Leonard shrugged — and dominated.

Leonard earned his first victory in San Antonio since his exodus from the franchise, getting 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in three quarters as Los Angeles beat the Spurs 134-109 Saturday night.

“He was as sharp as I’ve seen him,” Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said. “Not only with his scoring, but with his defense and his passing.”

The boos puzzled Rivers but didn’t faze Leonard.

“It only can make me better and make our team better with the crown not being on our side,” Leonard said.

Leonard was roundly booed during pregame introductions and each time he touched the ball, just as he was in two previous visits to San Antonio. The reigning Finals MVP gave the sellout crowd plenty to jeer about during an active 27 minutes.

Leonard was 11 for 16 from the field with four steals and only two turnovers in setting a hurried pace the Spurs were unable to match.

The Clippers had 74 points in the paint, 26 fast-break points and 36 points off 18 turnovers.

“It’s embarrassing,” said Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan, who had 24 points. “It’s frustrating, especially when you’re out there trying hard, definitely frustrating.”

Leonard benefited from the increased pace, slamming in a season-high four dunks.

“I was able to get out in transition, especially get down the paint and able to dunk the ball,” Leonard said.

Leonard demanded a trade after playing just nine games for the Spurs in 2018 due to a right thigh injury. San Antonio relented and traded him the next summer to Toronto, where he led the Raptors to their first NBA championship last season.

Spurs fans have remained bitter about his forced departure, making the team’s blowout victories over Leonard and the Raptors last season and the Clippers on Nov. 29 that much sweeter.

Source: Manila Bulletin