Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard hits Gatorade with haterade PSA

Kawhi Leonard doubles down on Gatorade snub while powering Clippers past Nuggets

Leonard has a history of distancing himself from Gatorade branding. During the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, after winning MVP honors, he similarly removed a Gatorade bottle from the podium, stating at the time, “Not sponsored by Gatorade.”

Leonard’s public gesture adds a new layer to his reputation for privacy and independence off the court, while also sparking conversation around athlete endorsements and product promotion. Whether the move was meant as a health-conscious message or a continued rejection of non-affiliated branding remains unclear.

On the court, Leonard has continued to set the tone for the Clippers in the postseason. He finished Game 3 with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 7-for-17 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range. His steady leadership has helped Los Angeles take a 2-1 series lead over the Nuggets.

Through three games, Leonard is averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 60.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

The Clippers will look to maintain momentum as they host the Nuggets once again for Game 4 on Saturday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET on TNT, with Los Angeles aiming to protect home court before the series shifts back to Denver for Game 5.