With over 15,000 career points, Kawhi Leonard has been an elite scorer since 2016-17, when he first cracked the code to averaging over 25 points. However, the most he had ever scored in a game in the NBA was 45, and at San Diego State was 26. Not once had he touched 50 until last night versus the Detroit Pistons.
Opposing head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had Detroit’s entire defensive scheme worried about Leonard. Double teams, triple teams, physicality, you name it, and the two-time champion refused to give the ball up amid an overheated heat-check.
Leonard finished the game with 55 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks, cementing one of the craziest stat lines of the season.