Kawhi Leonard’s unexpected reaction at the buzzer against the Pelicans

The Los Angeles Clippers watched as their 17-point lead late in the third quarter was quickly cut to zero late in the fourth quarter against New Orleans Pelicans. luckily Kawhi Leonard was there to save the day.

Leonard capped off his season-high 34 points with a 21-foot jumper from the left side at the buzzer to give the Clippers the win and send the Pelicans to 0-5 on the season. And he knew that was good too.

“Yeah, sure, I knew it was going in,” Kawhi Leonard said of his game-winning shot.

Leonard finished the night with 34 points, five rebounds, five assists and six steals while shooting 11 of 16 from the field and 5 of 8 from three.

His final shot came on a pass from Derrick Jones Jr. with approximately four seconds on the clock. What looked like a broken play ended with Leonard’s 21-footer at the buzzer.

“I’ve probably said this before, but three or four seconds is a long time,” Leonard added. “So I probably saw it on the clock as DJ turned and, like I said, that’s a lot of time, so you have time to take a tribble, two dribbles. You can get to your spot or use a pump fake to try to get the defense out. I just try not to rush it, especially on the tying game.”

. @LavMurraiTheNU: “Is that a ball?”

Kawhi Leonard: “What do you think? Did he hit the rim?”

Law: “no”.

Kawhi: “Wet then.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/rk29iINkai

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 1, 2025

James Harden added 24 points, five rebounds, 14 assists and two steals tonight. Ivica Zubac recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Clippers had five players score in double figures, including 14 points from John Collins off the bench.

“That’s one of the things we have to get better at: I think we were up 10 in the fourth and we have to be able to hold those leads,” Lead added. “It shouldn’t come down to the last shot. My fault for turning the ball over at the end. We have to get better at that.”

Next up for the Clippers is back-to-back sets against the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday and Tuesday. Leonard told ClutchPoints that he plans to participate in both games and participate in the backset.

“I plan to play in both games. There are no restrictions for me. I feel good. I think everyone is comfortable with where I am today.”

Me: “Do you plan to play both halves of a back-to-back set?”

Kawhi Leonard: “I plan to play in both games.”

Me: “Have you discussed this with the medical staff yet?”

Kawhi: “There are no limits for me. I feel good… I think everyone is comfortable where… pic.twitter.com/cua6lhTBVO

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 1, 2025