Kawhi Leonard reveals the secret to making NBA history in his 14th season

The Los Angeles Clippers have staged an impressive comeback after a rocky start to the 2025–26 NBA season, climbing back to eighth place in the Western Conference with a 34–33 record. Their resurgence has been fueled largely by the stellar performances of superstar Kawhi Leonard, who continues to redefine what it means to age gracefully in professional basketball.

The Clippers’ early-season struggles were stark. At one point, the team languished with a 6–21 record, raising doubts about their playoff prospects and leaving fans questioning whether they could recover. However, Leonard’s consistency and leadership have been central to the team’s revival. In his 14th NBA season, the two-time Finals MVP has averaged a remarkable 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game across 53 appearances.

Notably, Leonard has created NBA history with this achievement: he is the first player in league history to average a career-high in points per game this late into his career. Previously, former Clippers guard Lou Williams became the first player to average 20-plus points per game for the first time in their 13th season or later, also joining Chauncey Billups as one of only two players to set a career-high scoring average in their 13th season. Leonard’s feat underscores his dedication to both skill development and physical conditioning, even after more than a decade in the league.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Reflecting on his historic season, Leonard credited his preparation, faith, and work ethic. “The man above, and me just being able to play games. I had a good offseason, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic, and believing. Just trying to get better in the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle, or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes,” he said.

“I actually think this is the best I’ve ever seen him play.”@BillSimmons and @LegsESPN can’t believe how well Kawhi Leonard has played in his age-34 season. pic.twitter.com/cfAtvctR7d

— The Ringer (@ringer) March 13, 2026

Even in a loss, Leonard has continued to shine. During the Clippers’ 109–118 defeat to the Sacramento Kings at home on Sunday, March 15 (Philippine Standard Time), Leonard scored 31 points, marking his 45th consecutive game scoring at least 20 points. This achievement allowed him to surpass Bob McAdoo for the most consecutive 20-point games in Clippers history, further cementing his place among the franchise’s all-time greats.

“It’s amazing. Thank God for me being able to play consistently this year and being able to be in the conversation with the greats of this game. It’s always great to just be on the floor and be able to play basketball. There’s a lot of ups and downs that you go through in the NBA, either it’s a bad game, missing shots, being sick, or team failing and then the highs. It’s great to just be able to be in the conversation with greats like him,” Leonard added, highlighting his humility and perspective despite the historic milestone.

However, the Clippers’ campaign has not been without setbacks. Leonard suffered yet another injury during the fourth quarter against the Kings, spraining his ankle. The injury has forced him to miss the team’s subsequent matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, marking his 15th missed game of the season. With 17 missed games serving as the threshold that rules players out of consideration for end-of-season NBA awards, Leonard now faces a critical juncture in his pursuit of league honors.

Despite the challenges, the Clippers remain optimistic about their playoff chances. Leonard’s leadership, combined with contributions from supporting stars and a renewed team chemistry, has injected a sense of belief in the locker room. The Clippers’ ability to overcome their early-season struggles serves as a testament to resilience and perseverance in a league where consistency is key, and Leonard’s historic performance this season continues to remind fans why he is considered one of the most dominant and disciplined players of his generation.

As the regular season approaches its final stretch, all eyes will be on Leonard and the Clippers to see if they can maintain their upward trajectory, secure a favorable playoff seed, and navigate the remaining schedule without further injury setbacks. The team’s fortunes and Leonard’s pursuit of career milestones remain intertwined, making the next few weeks critical for both the franchise and its superstar.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.