It was supposed to be a throwback of sorts for Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant, having faced each other in the 2019 NBA Finals. Both players did lead their respective teams in scoring, but another MVP delivered the game's coup de grâce.
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Russell Westbrook for the Win
With 12 seconds left in the game clock, 2016-2017 MVP Russell Westbrook closed the lane on a driving Devin Booker, blocked his shot and tapped the ball off him to get the possession back to the Los Angeles Clippers. He stared Booker down, and Game 1 was unofficially over after that.
"I got to find ways to stay consistent throughout all season, steady in my craft," Westbrook said in an interview. "I learned that at a young age and I'll continue doing that regardless of bad games, good games. But consistent over time, it will pay off." And it did.
His paltry nine points in 3 of 19 shooting did not derail him from having an impact on both sides of the floor. Players often dare him to shoot, but he sunk two crucial free throws to extend the Clippers' lead to three with 17.7 seconds left. The Suns also can't seem to stop him from getting to those loose balls. Half of his double-digit rebounds came from the offensive end, not to mention a crucial deflection off DeAndre Ayton's outstretched hands just a few seconds before his victory-sealing block.
Oft soft-spoken Kawhi Leonard has nothing but praise for his veteran teammate. The two-time NBA Finals MVP highlighted Westbrook's playmaking, offensive rebounding, deflections, and overall playoffs mindset during the post-game press conference.
Russell Westbrook completed the conquest with 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
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