The Nuggets ultimately lost, by 33 points—their worst defeat of the season.
Kawhi Leonard was the Spurs' biggest contributor to today's victory, posting 29 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
A very typical "Link-style" stat line.
What was a "Link-style" stat line? It meant that he put up numbers in every statistical category except turnovers!
Aside from his eye-popping stats, Leonard's defense also showed the Nuggets what true despair felt like.
Today, three Nuggets players had matched up against Leonard: Chandler, Mudiay, and Will Barton.
Their shooting percentages were 36.4%, 20%, and 33.3%, respectively—a complete train wreck.
Their percentages could only make people think of one phrase—too horrible to look at.
Leonard had once again used his overwhelming destructive power to demolish the Nuggets' entire perimeter!
This "war machine" had been slaughtering opponents for over half the season now.
As soon as the game ended, a swarm of reporters gathered around Leonard.
But Leonard had never been much of a talker, and his answers to the reporters' questions were all appropriately restrained.
Yet when faced with one particular question, the reporters noticed a subtle change in Leonard's usually expressionless face.
"Next game, the Spurs will face the Grizzlies for the first time this season. Do you have anything to say about that? How do you think your matchup with Link will go?"
As soon as the question came out, Leonard frowned slightly. Sure enough, Link was the only player in the entire league who could bring an expression to that stone-faced guy's face.
The name Link sounded especially grating to Leonard.
Though he had not become mortal enemies with Link like Durant had, nor was he constantly compared to Link like James was.
In truth, however, the two had always been secretly competing against each other.