Kawhi Leonard Is Fresh In Mind And Body As The Streaking Los Angeles Clippers Open The Playoffs

Kawhi Leonard is fresh in mind and body this year, no longer relegated to watching from the sideline when the Los Angeles Clippers begin the postseason.

After appearing in just two playoff games over the last two years, the 33-year-old two-time Finals MVP is healthy and looking like his old self as the fifth-seeded Clippers take on the fourth-seeded Nuggets in the first round starting Saturday in Denver.

"Just happy that I was able to get here," he said. "My teammates did a great job down that last stretch."

The Clippers have been a much different team since Leonard got healthy and found his rhythm. He missed the first 34 games of the season because of lingering issues with his surgically repaired knees.

Los Angeles won 18 of its final 21 games, a stretch in which it had the NBA's No. 1 offense.