Clippers Leonard Has Good Final Week

By Earl Heath

Contributing Sports Writer

In the final week of the NBA season the LA Clippers got great help from Kawhi Leonard to solidify the sixth spot in the Western Conference. During the week, Leonard led the Clippers to a 3-0 record, behind averages of 25.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists, while shooting 49.1% from the field, 38.9% from the three-point range and 84.2% from the free-throw line. His efforts earned him Western Conference Player of Week for games played from Monday, April 3, through Sunday, April 9. This is Leonard’s eighth Player of the Week Award, and his second time winning with the Clippers. The seven-time NBA All-Defensive team member recorded 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and eclipsed the 4,000-career rebound mark on April 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

On April 9 at Phoenix, Leonard tallied 25 points, a seasonhigh 15 rebounds and six assists across 36 minutes. This season, Leonard was one of two players averaging at least 20 points per game, while shooting above 50% from the field and 40% on three pointers. In his 11th NBA season, the five-time All-NBA player held averages of 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41.6% from the three-point range and 87.1% from the free-throw line. The Clippers ended the regular season fifth in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record.

The Clippers open the playoff this Sunday at Phoenix.

The Sparks also selected Monika Czinano with the 26th overall pick in the third round of the draft, giving them one of the best post players from the collegiate level. Johnson expressed his belief that it’s the perfect move for LA since they took a player who can contribute right away. Los Angeles could really use some help insider after a season that saw them tally a 13-23 record. Czinano, joined Caitlin Clark this 2022-23 season as the first duo to record over 2,000 career points in the same season in the Big Ten women’s basketball history, certainly brings a lot to the table for the Sparks. In fact, Indiana Fever general manager Lin Dunn even gave her a ringing endorsement in the build-up to the draft.

In between, selections there was plenty of excitement and a few surprises. The Dallas Wings, who already had three first-round picks, sent a future first-round pick and a future second-round pick to the Washington Mystics to add the No. 4 overall selection to their collection. With those choices they added Maddy Siegrist (3rd), Stephanie Soares (4th), Lou Lopez Senechal (5th) and Abby Meyers (11th).

Other notable picks include the Minnesota Lynx taking Diamond Miller at No. 2 and the Atlanta Dream getting Haley Jones at No. 6.

The WNBA Draft has become more entertaining, and family liked as parents aunts and uncles gather under one roof along with coaches like Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma all present with players and their families.