Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Reminding NBA He's Still Elite

34-year-old star elevating his game, leading Clippers' resurgence

Feb. 15, 2026 at 5:23am

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Kawhi Leonard, at 34 years old, is proving he can still be one of the NBA's elite players. After a slow start, Leonard has elevated his game, averaging a league-best 30.2 points per game since late December, along with 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists. His strong play has helped the Clippers go 20-7 since December 20th, and he was named an All-Star reserve despite some initial controversy.

Why it matters

Leonard's resurgence shows he can still be a dominant two-way player in the NBA, even as he enters the latter stages of his career. His ability to elevate his game and lead the Clippers' turnaround is a testament to his drive and skill, and it serves as a reminder that he remains one of the league's premier talents.

The details

To validate his standing among younger stars, Leonard has changed his game this season, dramatically improving his 3-point shooting and scoring. His teammates and opponents have taken notice of his renewed intensity and focus. Leonard's exclusion from the initial All-Star reserve list drew backlash, but he was later added as a reserve.

  • Since late December, Leonard has been averaging a league-best 30.2 points per game.
  • The Clippers have gone 20-7 since December 20th.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A 34-year-old forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, a two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP.

John Collins

A forward for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Karl-Anthony Towns

A star player for the New York Knicks.

Reggie Miller

A former NBA player and current broadcaster.

Kevin Durant

A star player for the Houston Rockets.

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What they’re saying

“There's like a certain attitude from him. It's fascinating to watch how intentional he is almost all the time. A real intensity and effort on nearly possession as the driving force.”

— John Collins, Clippers forward

“Kawhi is special man. He can step up to levels at any time when he needs to. He's one of those few players that flips a switch and turns into a different animal, a different beast.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns

“There's no questioning Kawhi Leonard's resume. Think about it. Two-time champ, two-time Finals MVP. I think the question marks that have come over the last several seasons have been because of the injuries and his inability to play at the biggest moments in the playoffs.”

— Reggie Miller, Broadcaster and former NBA star

“He's a shot-maker. One of the greatest of all time.”

— Kevin Durant

What’s next

Leonard will play in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The takeaway

At 34 years old, Kawhi Leonard is proving he can still be one of the NBA's elite players, leading the Clippers' resurgence with his improved scoring, shooting, and all-around play. His drive and intensity have been on full display, reminding the league that he remains a dominant two-way force to be reckoned with.