Kawhi Leonard MVP buzz heats up
Kawhi Leonard's late-season surge, including a 45-point performance against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, has propelled him into MVP discussions [https://yardbarker.com/nba/articles/assessing_kawhi_leonards_mvp_odds_can_he_win/s1_16625_43587211]. This has also solidified the Clippers' postseason ambitions, with their “path to the playoffs now wide open” [https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/onsi/news/clippers-path-playoffs-now-wide-open-01kkh36q678g]. Jaylen Brown is also in the MVP mix after a career-best season [https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2026/03/jaylen-brown-gives-candid-perspective-on-mvp-race.html].
Leonard's surge includes a 45-point performance against the Timberwolves, tying his second-highest scoring output of the season, just shy of the 55 points he scored against the Pistons in December. Since the All-Star break, he's been averaging nearly 30 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.6 steals in 10 games. This dominant stretch has further fueled the MVP conversation, though his current odds remain a long shot at +10000. The Clippers, after a rocky 6-21 start, have climbed above .500 at 33-32, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Their recent performance, winning six of their last seven games, is attributed to a favorable schedule ahead. 10 of their remaining 17 games are against teams in the bottom 10 of the league standings. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown acknowledges the shifting criteria for the MVP award, despite a career-best season averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Some analysts believe Brown's independent approach might hinder his MVP chances compared to more conventional stars. He is currently ranked sixth on the NBA MVP Ladder.
