Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season, Part 2

28. Kawhi Leonard spoils DeMar DeRozan’s return to Toronto with game-clinching steal

Kawhi Leonard has developed a reputation for his downright vicious steals over the years. With that wingspan, hands that look more like oven mitts, an unflinching demeanor and that steady, unchanging facial expression, the Claw comes off like a cyborg sent here with one mission: destroy his opponents’ spirit with soul-crushing defense.

If anyone was expecting him to abandon his mission just because DeMar DeRozan was making his triumphant return to Toronto, they were sorely disappointed.

Despite the lovely ovation he received from Raptors fans at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 22, DeRozan’s night was ruined by Leonard, who exacted his revenge for a return to San Antonio that was upstaged by DeRozan’s first ever triple-double.

With 24.9 seconds left and the Raptors trailing by two points, Serge Ibaka went 1-for-2 from the foul line. DeRozan grabbed the defensive rebound and turned up court. Leonard swiped at the ball, forcing DeRozan to spin and lose his balance. As the Spurs guard scrambled to recover his dribble, Kyle Lowry swooped in to pry it loose.

Leonard came up with the ball, leaving DeRozan on the ground before dunking it home to give Toronto a one-point lead with 15.1 seconds remaining. After Davis Bertans‘ miss with 2.8 seconds left, the Raptors secured the rebound and Kawhi closed the game out at the foul line.

It was a brilliant play that evened the season series between two players who were swapped for each other and ruined each other’s homecoming parties, but no one should’ve been surprised. The Claw was simply completing his prime directive.