The Spurs beat the Rockets in mid-March, 112-110, in San Antonio thanks to a Kawhi Leonard takeover in the fourth quarter. The block at the end earned him the 2017 NBA Block of the Year award at the NBA Awards Show.
Kawhi Leonard gave us one of the moments of the year with game-winning 3 and block in 7 seconds
He also won Block of the Year for good measure.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
James Harden was the story of the first half, but Leonard was the story when it mattered. Late in the fourth quarter, Kawhi took over and made every case possible for his place in the MVP conversation. His final sequence sealed the game, as he a hit three-pointer to put the Spurs up, 110-108.
Then he immediately came down and blocked James Harden on the following possession. This was the play the NBA honored over Kristaps Porzingis on the Nets and Hassan Whiteside on the Raptors.
The Spurs then held on to the lead for the final 25 seconds.
The Spurs were down 16 points at one point and it seemed like the Rockets were going to run away with this one, but never count out San Antonio. Leonard finished the night with 39 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal. It’s now his fourth straight game with 30 or more points.
In the loss, Harden was still fantastic. He finished with 39 points, three rebounds, and 12 assists. Sadly for him, Leonard was too good on that final swat.
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