Kawhi Leonard’s highlights aren’t typically of the jump-out-of-the-building-and-throw-it-down variety. The beauty of his game is in all the nuances.
The Jazz may have earned a 105-90 victory Tuesday night against the Raptors at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but they got smacked in the face with Leonard’s subtlety along the way.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year and former NBA Finals MVP did not take the court after halftime. Didn’t need to. Not after putting up 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting, five rebounds, and one steal, and attempting eight free throws in 18 first-half minutes.
Anyone wondering if he was back to form after playing just nine games a year ago in a bizarre, lost season with the Spurs can stop.