Reggie Miller “no brainer” plays Kawhi Leonard near All-Star scramble

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard He wasn’t named to the initial NBA All-Star roster, but he was named an injury replacement after a few days. NBC sports analyst and NBA legend Reggie Miller was surprised by his initial absence from the list, calling it “unreasonable” to have him on the list.

The Clippers started the season 6-21, but have won 20 of their last 27 games thanks in large part to the strong play of their two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Kawhi Leonard has played 41 games so far this season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three and 91.2 percent from the free throw line.

In an interview with ClutchPoints promoting NBC Sports’ NBA All-Star Weekend coverage, Reggie Miller praised Kawhi Leonard for his play and leading the Clippers from 15 games under .500.

“There’s no question about Kawhi Leonard’s resume,” Reggie Miller told ClutchPoints. “Two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP. The question marks over the last few seasons have been injuries and not being able to play in the biggest moment in the playoffs. But back to December, you can tell those are MVP-type numbers. It’s not out of the question that he would be an All-Star in his own building and in his own city.”

Since Dec. 20, Kawhi is averaging 30 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 40 percent from the field and 88.5 percent from the free throw line.

In fact, the only players in the last 35 years to have a 300 game span of 24 points on 50-40-88 shooting are Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. Leonard did it himself during his tenure with the Clippers.

“I was a little shocked that he wasn’t on the team at first,” Reggie Miller added of Kawhi Leonard. “You can say what you want about the controversy surrounding him and the ownership. But that’s another story. If we’re just talking about the X’s and O’s and who you’d want on your team, he’s got to be the top two or two-three two-way players in today’s game.”

Kawhi Leonard. 31. Dagger. Vhev. pic.twitter.com/3PC6pt63ik

— Justin Russo (@FliBiKnite) February 16, 2026

Carmelo Anthonyanother analyst for NBC Sports and a guy who played 11 games against him, had similar praise for the seven-time NBA All-Star.

“Since December, Kawhi has been one of the best players in this league,” Carmelo Anthony told ClutchPoints. “He was in top shape, the best shape I’ve seen him in in a long time. So for him to get in shape, to get his mental state right and to get his body right while going through everything they’re going through with the Clippers? They’re trading Norman Powell (in the offseason). They’re trading James Harden. They’re starting to make these moves, and he’s still playing on a nightly basis. in this game, representing the Clippers, Los Angeles and the NBA as a whole.

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers will begin the second half of the season on Thursday night when they host the Denver Nuggets. It will be the first half of a back-to-back set against the Nuggets and Lakers on Friday night.