Kawhi Leonard Has a 26-11 Story No One Wants to Talk About

It’s the kind of story that should be dominating headlines—but somehow, it’s slipping through the cracks. While the NBA media machine continues to obsess over superteams, celebrity drama, and empty narratives, the Los Angeles Clippers quietly put together one of the most dangerously efficient trios of the 2024-2025 season.

James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac had a 26-11 record when they were on the court together last season. That’s not just impressive—it’s elite. Yet almost nobody’s paying attention. Why?

The answer might be as subtle and clinical as Kawhi Leonard’s game itself.

The NBA’s Most Underrated Trio

When you hear “Big Three,” most fans don’t immediately think of Harden, Kawhi, and Zubac. That’s because this isn’t a trio built on viral dunks or sideline antics. It’s built on chemistry, efficiency, and cold-blooded execution.

When this trio took the floor, the Clippers transformed. Offensive rating shot up. Defensive lapses disappeared. Rebounding dominance became the norm. This was basketball played like a chess match—precise, methodical, and almost unfair.

The +13.4 net rating when these three shared the court wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. But no one seemed ready to listen.

Kawhi Leonard: The Silent Killer

Kawhi Leonard remains one of the most misunderstood stars in the NBA. He doesn’t tweet. He doesn’t talk trash. He doesn’t dance for the cameras. But he destroys teams with robotic consistency. His defense is suffocating, his mid-range game is surgical, and his leadership—though quiet—is undeniable.

Fans forget Kawhi is a two-time Finals MVP. They forget he dismantled peak LeBron and Steph in separate decades. They forget because he doesn’t care about reminding them.

Yet every time Kawhi suits up, the Clippers become a different animal. His presence calms the floor, creates spacing, and makes Harden’s job easier. He doesn’t yell. He doesn’t celebrate. He just wins.

James Harden’s Reinvention in LA

Don’t let the old narratives fool you. This is not the same James Harden who dribbled the air out of the ball in Houston or disappeared in key playoff moments in Philly. In LA, Harden has become shockingly selfless.

He’s embraced the role of a facilitator. He’s hitting open teammates, orchestrating pick-and-rolls with Zubac like a maestro, and knowing exactly when to take over without hijacking the game.

More importantly, Harden has bought into the Clippers’ identity. He’s playing defense. He’s trusting the system. And when the game gets tight, he still has that step-back three in his pocket.

Ivica Zubac: The Unsung Backbone

Ivica Zubac is probably the least talked about part of this trio—and that’s criminal.

In a league obsessed with stretch-fives and flashy plays, Zubac is doing the dirty work. He’s protecting the rim, boxing out giants, and setting some of the nastiest screens in the game.

His numbers don’t scream superstar, but his impact metrics are undeniable. When he shares the floor with Kawhi and Harden, the Clippers dominate the paint—on both ends.

Zubac gives Kawhi the freedom to roam defensively. He gives Harden a reliable roll partner. And he gives the Clippers a defensive anchor that lets them play small, switch-heavy lineups without getting bullied inside.

The 26-11 Record That Should Scare the League

Let’s not downplay this stat.

Twenty-six wins. Eleven losses. That’s a 70.2% win rate—on par with top-seeded teams. That’s not a hot streak. That’s championship-caliber production.

And it wasn’t against bottom feeders. The trio played meaningful minutes against playoff-bound squads, stretch runs, and even late-season pressure games. Time after time, they delivered.

Yet ESPN barely mentioned it. Sports talk shows brushed it off. NBA Twitter was too busy chasing the next viral meltdown.

So the question lingers: Why is no one talking about this?

Narrative vs. Reality

Here’s the brutal truth: the NBA doesn’t reward quiet excellence.

Kawhi isn’t going to light up postgame interviews. Harden isn’t leading TikTok trends. Zubac isn’t dating a pop star. This trio doesn’t give drama. They give wins. And in today’s algorithm-driven world, that’s not always enough.

But real hoopers know. Coaches know. GMs know. And come playoff time, the league’s elite won’t be sleeping on the Clippers—because they know exactly how dangerous this 26-11 formula really is.

How Far Can This Trio Go?

If they stay healthy—and that’s a big “if” given Kawhi’s history—the Clippers could be a problem for any Western contender.

The Nuggets are still dominant, but Jokic can’t rest with Zubac banging bodies. The Timberwolves are longer, but they’re not smarter. The Lakers? They still haven’t figured out how to guard Kawhi without throwing four bodies at him.

The Clippers’ ceiling comes down to minutes played together. The more this trio shares the court, the more they win. It’s that simple. The sample size is already large enough to call it real. The chemistry is already proven. The tools are there.

So the only thing standing in their way—ironically—is the same thing that makes them deadly:

Silence.

Why You Should Start Paying Attention Now

Because if you’re not watching, you’re going to miss it.

You’ll blink and see Kawhi drop 28 on 14 shots. Harden will record 12 assists and 0 turnovers. Zubac will log a quiet double-double while holding All-Star centers to single digits.

Then you’ll check the box score and realize the Clippers are on a 10-game win streak, climbing playoff seeding without headlines, memes, or drama.

By the time the mainstream media wakes up, it might be too late.

The Bottom Line

The 26-11 record of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac isn’t just a stat—it’s a warning.

A warning to fans who overlook chemistry. A warning to rivals who underestimate structure. A warning to the league that the Clippers have a silent superteam in plain sight.

So if you’ve been ignoring the Clippers, now’s the time to stop. Because while everyone’s watching the noise, Kawhi and company are busy stacking wins.

And they’re not asking for your attention.

They’re earning it.

If you’re still doubting what this trio can do, maybe you need to look at the numbers again—just don’t be surprised when the Clippers sneak past your favorite team this postseason.

Because 26-11 doesn’t lie.
It just whispers.