Kawhi Leonard makes NBA history with an NBA All-Star offense

The Los Angeles Clippers experienced a resurgence after their rough start to the 2025-26 regular season, and that’s thanks in large part to Kawhi Leonard.

From a 6-21 start through mid-December, the Clippers went 16-4 to improve to 22-25 on the season. The wins kept piling up as Kawhi Leonard took his game up a few notches, as many thought would be a safe choice in 2026 NBA All-Star Game.

The Clippers played 49 games Sunday night game against the Phoenix Suns, with Leonard having played in 34 of those games with ankle and knee issues. Through his first 34 games, Leonard averaged 27.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three and 93.6 percent from the free throw line.

His 27.7 points are a career high, while his 2.1 steals and 93.6 percent free throws currently lead the entire NBA.

That’s why everyone was so surprised when Leonard wasn’t named a reserve at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome later this month.

According to Stathead, Leonard is the first player in NBA history to average those numbers and not be named an NBA All-Star.

“It was tough,” LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said he said before Sunday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns. “Congratulations to all the guys that did it. They all deserve it, too. But Kawhi, I mean, for me the last six weeks, he’s been the best player in the NBA. Like you said, 50/40/90, averaging 28 points a game, and what he did to get his team out of a hole. So we started to see where we were today at 6-’21. I feel bad for Kawhi, but I’m happy for all the guys that got drafted.

Leonard is also one of three players this season to average at least 25 points, four rebounds and three assists this season and not be named an All-Star, joining Clippers teammate James Harden and Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr.

The Clippers have seven games left before the NBA All-Star break, and there’s a chance commissioner Adam Silver has to name an injury replacement for someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Plus, with this year’s USA vs. World All-Star format, it would be interesting to see which rosters feature Karl-Anthony Towns (Dominican Republic), Donovan Mitchell (Panama) and Norman Powell (Jamaica).