Game three of the Western Conference semi matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets was a nailbiter.
The Nuggets held a slight advantage heading into the final quarter, led by Nikola Jokic, who ultimately finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
However, a strong fourth quarter handed the Clippers the six-point win.
Paul George top-scored with 32 points while Kawhi Leonard’s 23 points, 14 boards and six dimes helped LA to a 2-1 series lead.
Kawhi also managed two blocks on the night, with the second of those stops, in particular, sparking a memorable morning on social media.
With the Clippers up by six, and 1:50s left on the clock in the fourth, Jamal Murray drove to the basket and tried to dunk one over Leonard.
Leonard stretched, and while he missed the ball with his palm, his middle finger, which remained outstretched managed to somehow divert the ball back into Murray’s face.
Here’s a video of Kawhi’s block:
Kawhi blocked Jamal Murray's DUNK ATTEMPT with his middle finger… 😲
(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/EOBfiSXRi7
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 8, 2020
Even teammate Paul George could not believe it.
“That’s an extra-long middle finger. It kept growing or something,” he said after the game.
This highly unconventional but crucial block was celebrated by Clippers fans while many people were just awed by Leonard’s finger strength.
Here are some of the best tweets and memes:
https://twitter.com/SportsNation/status/1303184048370651137
Stone Cold would approve of Kawhi's block 🍻 pic.twitter.com/UGMSjnFCmK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 8, 2020
NBA PLAYER: “im going to dunk on Kawhi.”
KAWHI: pic.twitter.com/e8UrXVhnNi
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) September 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/damewilson9/status/1303175916567375872
https://twitter.com/SASBurnerAcct/status/1303174679012798467
Kawhi middle finger be like pic.twitter.com/Oj1kxUWsi5
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 8, 2020
Kawhi dando toco no Murray#NBAnaESPN pic.twitter.com/NGg5RjKpQk
— Celta de Verde (@celtadeverde) September 8, 2020
Kawhi’s middle finger pic.twitter.com/YPFvBpuEMV
— Blac Kellerman (@Jayblac1615) September 8, 2020
😂 kawhi is a basketball monk pic.twitter.com/SnX7CbnwYy
— Child of Neteru 𓂀 𓁞𓁥𓁟 (@TheLivingHeru) September 8, 2020
