It has been a whirlwind in the NBA news cycle Wednesday, but the news that Kawhi Leonard is likely out for the remainder of this playoff series against the Utah Jazz is arguably the biggest development of the day. After losing the first two games of the series, Leonard and the LA Clippers held court at home and suddenly looked like a threat to win it all.
Leonard's exquisite play this postseason has made him the MVP of the Western Conference playoffs. Along with Kevin Durant in the East, Leonard was playing better than anyone else left in these playoffs. He has the highest PER in the postseason at 30.4. So if Leonard can't play due to his knee injury, the Clippers are no longer contenders. It's that simple.