Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard on playing through leg injury vs. Bucks: 'This is playoff basketball'
E.Jay Zarett
May 20, 2019 03:12 MYT
May 20, 2019 03:12 MYT
Kawhi Leonard wasn’t going to let an injury slow him down.
The 27-year-old star appeared to injure his leg after finishing a layup and was walking with a noticeable limp during the first half of the Raptors’ Game 3 matchup with the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals Sunday.
Leonard, however, remained in the game and led his team to a 118-112 win in double overtime.
He was asked about the injury during a postgame interview with TNT.
“I’m feeling alright,” Leonard said. “This is playoff basketball. Everybody is hurting. Just have to keep fighting.”
Kawhi pushing through the pain, playing with a noticeable limp pic.twitter.com/UZPL16hvI7 — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 19, 2019
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Despite the injury, Leonard scored 36 points on 11-of-25 shooting in a game-high 52 minutes of action. The victory cut Toronto’s series deficit to 2-1.
“I’m just confident in myself,” Leonard said. “My teammates are confident in me. I just go out there and play. I can live with the results because I’m giving 110% out there.”
"Right now I'm about to just enjoy this win." Kawhi after the Raptors secure the Game 3 dub at home. ?: @KristenLedlow pic.twitter.com/CMoI6mihAU — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 20, 2019
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Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 24 and 30 points, respectively, in the first two games of the series. But, the Raptors limited him to just 12 points Sunday. Antetokounmpo fouled out in the second overtime.
“It takes a team,” Leonard said about defending Antetokounmpo. “He’s a great basketball player. That’s why he’s an MVP finalist. We all have to just show hands and play hard. He’s a great player. He plays hard and he’s leading his team great.”
The Raptors will have a chance to even the series at 2-2 on Tuesday in Scotiabank Arena before the series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5.
“I’ve got to look at some film,” Leonard said. “Right now, I’m going to enjoy this win. We’ll see what we have to do [Monday].”
Game 4 between the Bucks and Raptors will tipoff Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.