Not Again: Kawhi Leonard’s game-winner vs. Kings felt like Déjà Vu for Sixers fans

Some nightmares just won’t go away. No matter how much time passes, no matter how many rosters change, Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot against the Sixers of Game 7 of the second round NBA Playoff series always finds a way to haunt us and last night, he did it again.

The Clippers were down 110-109 in overtime against the Kings, and with 21.1 seconds left, Kawhi got the ball at the top of the key.

We’ve seen this movie before.

Leonard drove to the basket, Keegan Murray draped all over him, and—of course—somehow got off a floater over what felt like the entire Kings roster.

Side Note: Kawhi didn’t appear to travel this time like he did against the Sixers in Game 7. Anyone with half of a brain watched Kawhi literally run with the ball in hands to get around his now-current teammate Ben Simmons, but I digress.

Anyways, did I mention it bounced on the rim several times before falling?

Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater floater

KAWHI LEONARD WINS IT IN OVERTIME SURROUNDED BY ALL FIVE DEFENDERS 🚨#TissotBuzzerBeater#YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/tJndzNYx1u

— NBA (@NBA) March 10, 2025

Kawhi Leonard might be years removed from his 2019 title run—the one that still haunts Sixers fans every time we close our eyes—but somehow, he’s still out here taking souls.

For most of the night, he looked human. The 33-year-old was off his game, shooting a miserable 6-for-18 with just 15 points.

When it mattered most, Kawhi flipped the script and delivered the win for the Clippers. Another game-winning shot to add to his résumé—though it may be reminiscent of his infamous one in 2019, this time, the bounce felt much more conventional.

I don’t think there’s been a luckier shot in NBA history than Kawhi Leonard in Game 7

If only we could turn back time and make sure that shot in Toronto never fell. Maybe then, we’d be talking about our championships instead of the Raptors.

The 2019 version of the Sixers was arguably the best team they assembled post-Process and I really do believe that the Sixers were en route to the NBA Finals if it wasn’t for that shot from Kawhi Leonard.

Viewer Discretion Advised:

KAWHI. GAME 7. FOR THE WIN. pic.twitter.com/MH9CBjQ2uK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 13, 2019

That team, led by a dominant Joel Embiid and an elite (yes, elite) version of Ben Simmons, had all the pieces. Jimmy Butler was the ultimate closer. Tobias Harris was a solid complementary scorer. JJ Redick was cashing threes at an elite clip.

That squad had size, defense, and the star power to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Milwaukee wasn’t ready yet, and the Warriors were falling apart with injuries.

The Sixers had the path to a title.

Instead all we have is heartbreak and misery.

The Process Isn’t Over Yet

You see while it may all be and doom and gloom when it comes to the Sixers, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any light at the end of the tunnel.

We have a shot at winning the NBA Draft Lottery and walking away with Cooper Flagg. While the odds may not be in our favor, it’s the fact we have a chance.

And you know what? Maybe like Kawhi Leonard, we can get a lottery ball to take lucky bounce and come our way.

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