Kawhi Leonard #2 and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers during the game against the Utah Jazz on January 1, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) Last night’s matchup against the Utah Jazz at the Intuit Dome felt like a glitch in the matrix. Despite a bloodied nose and losing the 21-point lead, Kawhi Leonard turned the final twelve minutes of the game clock into a personal playground, single-handedly outscoring the entire Jazz roster 20–15 in the fourth quarter to secure a 118–101 victory. Watching him slowly dismantle the Utah Jazz was a treat for Clippers fans. In the Clippers’ seven 3-pointers, 4 belonged to Leonard alone. He finished the game with 45 points (20 alone in the 4th quarter), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, converting 16-29 from the field at 55.2% accuracy and making 7-of-9 free throws.
LA fans go berserk over Kawhi Leonard’s terminator mode
The reaction online was a mix of awe and genuine fear for the Western Conference hierarchy. From Reddit threads titled “The Terminator has been recalibrated” to X (formerly Twitter) blowing up with clips of his cold-blooded mid-range jumpers, the “monster” narrative was unavoidable.Fans were quick to highlight that this masterclass came while Leonard played through a visible scratch on his face, giving a much more raw and intense take on his performance. One fan commented, “20 in the 4th? Kawhi’s a walking cheat code.” A second fan wrote, “I love me some rebooted Kawhi!…He’s back.”
Fans react to Kawhi Leonard’s performance against Jazz. (Image via X)
“He is on a mission to bring back the Clippers,” the third fan commented, emphasizing Kawhi’s search for his 3rd and Clippers’ quest for their first ring. This performance is nothing short of an exhibition of elite skills and game IQ. One of the fans commented, “Bro switched to easy mode tonight.”
Fans react to Kawhi Leonard’s performance against Jazz. (Image via X)
A fan straight away called Kawhi, “What a monster!” If this version of Kawhi Leonard persists through the spring, the Clippers’ six-game winning streak is just the beginning.
What’s next for Kawhi Leonard and Clippers?
The two-time NBA champion’s 45-point performance was a testament to his sheer efficiency and deliverance during a game’s most critical stretch. His 11–0 solo run, drilling four straight triples, three of them in under two minutes, effectively deleted any hope of a Utah comeback.This outburst followed a career-high 55-point game earlier in the week. Currently with 12-21, the Clippers are 11th in Western Conference. They are 8-8 at home and 4-13 on the road this season. The Clippers will host the Boston Celtics at Intuit Dome this Saturday. Both teams are coming off a dominant win, making it an exciting matchup, especially with Kawhi Leonard’s streak. Also read: Kawhi Leonard NBA contract details: Total earnings, salary cap and more