Kawhi Leonard passes Klay Thompson, James Worthy in playoff scoring

Law Murray: Kawhi: “Take those gatorades down… kids don’t need to be drinking that” -via Bluesky / April 25, 2025

And when Paul George left as a free agent last summer, it seemed like the ending of that story. But the video Leonard posted Dec. 27 offered up an entirely new narrative. One that people might not have been ready to hear at the time, or frankly, one the Clippers and their fans might be wary of fully embracing, even now. “I keep coming back,” Leonard said in the video. -via ESPN / April 24, 2025

It’s a simple message, but it contains multitudes. And it’s something Leonard’s teammate James Harden hopes he starts getting more credit for. “He loves to hoop,” Harden said. If he didn’t, Harden explained, he wouldn’t be able to put himself through the endless hours or rehabilitation and strengthening and conditioning that’s required to come back from the type of injuries he has had over the years. “I feel like that about everybody that’s in the league that goes through something that is out of their hands, where they can’t control, it’s always the negative,” Harden said. “That’s something we got to live with, I guess, in the world. But as for me, being close to him every single day and seeing the work that he puts in, you appreciate him.” -via ESPN / April 24, 2025

With the Mavericks’ season ending far short of their goal, Thompson declined to give a straight answer when asked if he would have made a different decision in free agency if he knew what would ensue. “Don’t do this to me. Don’t do that to me. Don’t do that,” Thompson said, dropping his head and shaking it, letting out a pained laugh. “That’s kind of a ridiculous question. I don’t own a time machine, and I don’t believe in going back, looking back. If I did that my whole career, I would not be where I’m at and I wouldn’t have been able to persevere through two really hard injuries. “So I’m here in Dallas, and I enjoyed my time and I’m looking forward to the future.” -via ESPN / April 19, 2025

Klay Thompson scored 16 of his 23 points in Dallas’ dominant second quarter to get redemption for his dud here a year ago, helping the Mavericks beat the Sacramento Kings 120-106 on Wednesday night to advance in the play-in tournament. One year to the day when Thompson missed all 10 shots in his final game for the Golden State Warriors in a play-in loss at Sacramento, Thompson fueled Wednesday’s win with four 3-pointers in Dallas’ 44-point second quarter. That turned the game into a laugher and kept the Mavericks’ chaotic season alive for at least one more game. Dallas advanced to play at the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night for the chance to get into the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The winner of that game will open the playoffs on Sunday at the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. -via ESPN / April 17, 2025

“My season individually… I’d give it a B,” Thompson told reporters after practice on Monday. “I thought I shot the ball decent, you know, nearly 40 (percent) from three. I’m really grateful to play in 72 games and be a consistent presence in the lineup. That’s something that I can really hang my hat on.” -via Clutch Points / April 14, 2025

Jorge Sierra: Devin Booker passed Kyle Lowry and James Worthy in scoring last night and is now No. 117 in NBA history at age 28. -via Twitter @hoopshype / April 5, 2025

Jorge Sierra: Nikola Vucevic passed NBA75 selection James Worthy in scoring yesterday. He’s No. 114 all-time now. Also: Devin Booker (age 28) moved ahead of Lou Williams, Terry Porter, Walt Frazier, Artis Gilmore and Rashard Lewis for No. 137. He’s in Top 10 all-time trajectory. -via Bluesky / February 1, 2025