Following Sunday’s narrow 111-109 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. praised Kawhi Leonard as the best player in the league. Leonard led all scorers with 37 points, combining his offensive prowess with defensive contributions that left a strong impression on Carter.
Leonard’s commanding 33-minute performance included 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. He made 14 of his 25 field goal attempts, including 2 of 7 from three-point range, while connecting on 7 of 9 free throws.
Reflecting on the matchup, Carter emphasized Leonard’s skill set and composure on the court.
Kawhi, especially as of late, is probably the best player in this league. Again, he gets his spots whenever he wants to. Very calm, very collective. He never feels like he’s rushed or sped up at all. Very solid defensively, guard, most guys on the court. So he’s one of those guys you try to just contain throughout the game, make it tough, make everyone look for them tough and then late game like we did, try to get the ball out of his hand, make someone else beat us. So I think we did a really good job of that late down the stretch. And it was definitely something we could learn from going forward.
– Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic center
Leonard’s Control of the Game Highlights His Elite Status
Throughout the game, Leonard dictated the pace, using his favored midrange shots to consistently produce points. He exploited mismatches with precision and maintained a calm presence that unsettled defenders, despite Orlando’s efforts to limit his late-game touches. The two-time NBA Finals MVP created ample separation, drawing defensive rotations and forcing opponents into difficult decisions.
Attempting to disrupt Leonard’s rhythm, the Magic shifted tactics in the closing moments, aiming to reduce his impact on the final plays. On the Clippers’ last possession, Leonard passed to Bennedict Mathurin for a potentially game-winning three-pointer, but the attempt rimmed out, sealing a second straight loss for Los Angeles and dropping them to a 27-30 record.
Supporting Performances and Season Context for Leonard and the Clippers
Mathurin delivered a strong bench effort, contributing 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes. His shooting splits included 7-for-16 from the field, though just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc, complemented by 6-for-7 at the free-throw line. Despite this support, the Clippers fell short against a resilient Magic squad.
Leonard’s performance continues to reflect an outstanding scoring season. Now in his sixth year with the Clippers, the 34-year-old is averaging 28 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and two steals per game over 44 appearances. He is shooting a career-best 90.5% from the free-throw line alongside 49.4% from the field and 38.1% on three-pointers, averaging 32.8 minutes of playtime.
Orlando improved their record to 30-26 with the win, finishing the second night of a back-to-back during a four-game road trip through the Western Conference. Carter’s 15 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes helped fortify the Magic’s interior defense and withstand Leonard’s offensive surges.
Upcoming Matchups for Both Teams After This Intense Encounter
The Clippers aim to rebound as they prepare to host the Minnesota Timberwolves (35-25) on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. PT during a three-game homestand, broadcasted on Prime Video. Meanwhile, Orlando continues their road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers (34-22) at 7:30 p.m. PT, carrying confidence after holding Leonard’s efforts in check enough to secure a crucial victory.
Wendell Carter Jr. calls Kawhi Leonard the “best player in the league”
“Kawhi, especially as of late, is probably the best player in this league. He gets his spots whenever he wants… He never feels rushed or sped up at all.” pic.twitter.com/cpxRg2ggPM
— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 23, 2026
#Magic pull away with a 111-109 over the #Clippers as Bennedict Mathurin misses potential game winner! pic.twitter.com/sOCnPZ3GgL
— Julian Ojeda (@jowepafm) February 23, 2026
