Kawhi Leonard hit a four-bounce buzzer-beater in Game 7 vs. Philadelphia to lead the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship — then immediately left for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.
The Shot
May 12, 2019, Game 7, Eastern Conference Semifinals: Raptors vs. 76ers tied 90-90. 4.2 seconds left. Kawhi caught inbound, dribbled right, 15-foot fadeaway at buzzer.
Ball hit rim four times. Bounced. Bounced. Bounced. Bounced. Dropped through. Raptors win 92-90.
Announcer silent for 8 seconds (letting moment breathe). Joel Embiid’s tears. Kawhi’s emotionless face. NBA’s most dramatic buzzer-beater ever.
The Championship Run
Leonard averaged 30.5 PPG in playoffs. Carried Raptors past:
- Magic (Round 1)
- 76ers (Round 2, “The Shot”)
- Bucks (Conference Finals, down 0-2, won 4-2)
- Warriors (Finals, 4-2)
June 13, 2019: Defeated Warriors 114-110 in Game 6 at Oracle Arena (Warriors’ final game there). Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant both injured. First championship for Raptors franchise. First Canadian team to win NBA title.
Kawhi Finals MVP (second career, first with Spurs 2014).
The Departure
July 2019: Kawhi signed with LA Clippers in free agency. Traded to Raptors from Spurs (2018) for DeMar DeRozan. Played one season. Won championship. Left.
Raptors fans: heartbroken but grateful. “He gave us a championship, he can do whatever he wants.”
Legacy
Rental player who delivered. Proved star free agents can win in Toronto. Raptors never returned to Finals. Kawhi’s Clippers haven’t reached Finals (multiple playoff disappointments).
Four bounces. One season. One championship. Kawhi walked away a hero and ghost simultaneously.
Source: NBA.com