It was all love and fun on Wednesday night in Toronto as Kawhi Leonard featured in the game against his former team, the Toronto Raptors, as the Los Angeles Clippers beat them 112-92.
This would be his first feature against them since leaving in July after helping them win the cup. If there was any ever doubt that the people at Toronto loved him, Wednesday’s game cleared everything as the Raptors’ fans could not contain their joy in seeing a man who brought them joy in his brief stay in the team.
Indeed Kawhi was the man of the match as he was cheered on by both Clippers and Raptors fans. Kawhi did not disappoint as he finished with 23 points and five rebounds. He played the kind of game that made the Raptors side miss the player who was part of their first championship in years.
Before the game, videos showing Kawhi’s best moments were played, and just as he stepped in, he was greeted with a thunderous standing ovation with chants of “MVP” from fans. He then went on to share an emotional moment with Kyle Lowry, point guard for the Raptors.
Shortly after that, Kawhi was presented with his Championship Ring, which would be his second, that is usually presented to the winners of the last season in their first game of the new season, of which Kawhi could not be a part of. After the match, in his usual carefree, but serious manner, Kawhi hinted that had a big middle finger engraved in the ring.
It was a beautiful moment for Kawhi in Toronto, and he even admitted to have given thoughts to a possible return to the club but did not reveal other details. It is easy to know why Toronto is grateful to Kawhi, who spent just one season with them but was very instrumental in them winning the championship last season.
He also helped them break what they had referred to as “LeBronto” because anytime they meet the Los Angeles Lakers, they were always defeated by them just as the season was about to end with LeBron James being their driving force. He helped them achieve what they never thought they could in recent years, and they never failed to show how grateful they were.
The Clippers have their next game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Written by: Leon Osamor
