{"id":654511,"date":"2026-03-12T14:40:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/654511\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T14:40:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:40:19","slug":"clippers-player-explains-fight-before-viral-kawhi-leonard-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/654511\/","title":{"rendered":"Clippers Player Explains Fight Before Viral Kawhi Leonard Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kawhi\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers is having a great season.<\/p>\n

Following a convincing victory in Los Angeles, California, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> participated in a minor dust-up at half court.<\/p>\n

The situation went viral on Wednesday night, primarily due to Kawhi Leonard\u2019s<\/a> reaction to the scuffle. The veteran forward was seen quickly paying attention to the \u201cfight\u201d over his postgame interaction. He laughed it off, and the internet got a kick out of it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not every day NBA<\/a> fans see Leonard react the way he did, which is why the video went viral.<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard\u2019s Reaction To The Clippers-Timberwolves \u201cFight\u201d<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard notices the post-game skirmish between the Clippers and Timberwolves: \u201cHey, a fight!\u201d <\/p>\n

Leonard had a dominant performance against the Clippers on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

The veteran forward checked in for 32 minutes. He shot 15-20 from the field, 6-9 from three, and 9-10 from the charity stripe. The Clippers\u2019 star produced 45 points, while coming down with five rebounds, and dishing out five assists.<\/p>\n

Leonard\u2019s newest co-star, Darius Garland<\/a>, had a stellar third performance with the Clippers after checking in for 23 minutes. Garland made 8-13 shots from the field, hitting on five threes. He scored 25 points, along with six assists, two steals, and one rebound.<\/p>\n

Off the bench, the Clippers veteran Bennedict Mathurin<\/a> had a strong performance. In 25 minutes, he accounted for 22 points, going 5-10 from the field and 10-12 from the charity stripe.<\/p>\n

Similar to Garland, who came over in the James Harden trade from Cleveland, Mathurin is a deadline acquisition for LA. The veteran was part of the package for Ivica Zubac, coming over from the Indiana Pacers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Following his strong game off the bench, Mathurin was directly involved with the postgame dust-up. He explained why after the game.<\/p>\n

Bennedict Mathurin Explains The Situation\"\"<\/p>\n

GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 MARCH 02: Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the LA Clippers is guarded by Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors<\/a> at Chase Center on March 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cTrying to get the game ball, man,\u201d Mathurin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy rookie scored his first points in the NBA. So I can\u2019t take that for granted. It only happens once. Just trying to be a good teammate, trying to get the game ball. We don\u2019t go through those situations with violence. We need peace. Everybody needs peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bennedict Mathurin confirmed he was trying to get the game ball for Sean Pedulla before the Clippers-Timberwolves scuffle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Trying to get the game ball. My rookie scored his first points in the NBA. So I can\u2019t take that for granted. It only happens once. Just trying to be <\/p>\n

Pedulla, a 2025 undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, started the season in the NBA G League with the Portland Trail Blazers\u2019 affiliate.<\/p>\n

Back in February, Pedulla signed a two-way contract with the Clippers. With the Clippers dominating the Timberwolves, Pedulla got a chance to play for six minutes. He went 2-4 from the field, scoring six points. He also generated three assists in the 152-128 victory.<\/p>\n

The situation wasn\u2019t a great look, considering the game was over. But Mathurin\u2019s attempt to secure the game ball was certainly justified.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJustin Grasso<\/a> Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Clippers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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