Kawhi Leonard took a blowtorch to the Detroit Pistons' second-ranked defense on Sunday night, when he led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-99 win over the East's No. 1 team.
Leonard did more than "roll back the years," though. The two-time NBA champion did something he had never done before.
Leonard dropped 55 points, including 26 in the third quarter, on the Pistons, as the Clippers dominated at the Intuit Dome for only their 10th win of the season.
MORE: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard chasing all-time NBA record after 55-point career night
It might be hard to believe, given the kind of career that Leonard has enjoyed, but that 55-point outburst represents Leonard's career high in a single game.
But Leonard's impact wasn't limited just to the offensive end; the two-time Defensive Player of the Year snagged five steals as well. In doing so, Leonard — at 34 years and 182 days old — became the oldest player in NBA history to score 55 points and record five steals in the same game.
Kawhi Leonard is the oldest player in NBA history to record 55+ PTS & 5+ STL. Pic.twitter.com/rcCDiuYyWo
— Real App (@realapp) December 29, 2025
Leonard has been limited by injuries in recent seasons; he was limited to 37 games a season ago, and his per-game average of 21.5 points was his lowest as a Clipper.
But even in what is looking like a down year in Los Angeles, Leonard — now averaging a career-best 27.5 points per game — is showing that he has plenty left in the tank if he can stay on the court.
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