As the Golden State Warriors gear up for their play-in tournament opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, all eyes are on one monumental challenge: slowing down Kawhi Leonard. Head coach Steve Kerr recently broke down his team's approach to containing the Clippers' superstar, a task that has only grown more daunting since their last playoff battles.
The Warriors, who finished the regular season 37-45, face a steep climb, needing two wins to secure a playoff berth. Their path begins with a tough rematch against a Clippers squad that won the season series 3-1, including a narrow 115-110 victory just days ago. Since the trade deadline, a retooled Clippers roster, spearheaded by Leonard's elite play, has been one of the league's hotter teams, going 19-13.
Kerr acknowledged the evergreen difficulty of game-planning for a player of Leonard's caliber. "He's always been a great player," Kerr stated. "I'm not sure how much he's changed now compared to when we saw him in the NBA Finals in 2019. He's just gotten better and better, but he's still doing the same things at a high level."
The core defensive strategy, according to Kerr, remains consistent—recognize his brilliance and disrupt his comfort zones. "The gameplan doesn't change, but you have to recognize just how good he is, how much they depend on him," Kerr explained. The Warriors will meticulously study his favorite spots and the actions Los Angeles runs for him.
Kerr also highlighted a modern NBA nuance in defending Leonard: his mastery of drawing fouls. "He's going to really try to get fouled. He's going to do the NBA thing which lots of guys are doing," Kerr said, noting that even Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski employs similar tactics. The implication is clear—Golden State's defenders must be disciplined, playing aggressive defense without falling for the bait and putting Leonard on the free-throw line.
For the Warriors to advance, executing this disciplined, aware defensive scheme against one of the game's most potent scorers will be paramount. It's a classic playoff-style chess match, and Kerr has just revealed his opening moves.