Marcus Morris: Joe Ingles Gave Kawhi Leonard 'Cheap Shot' in Playoffs

The LA Clippers are still feeling the impact of Kawhi Leonard's injury against the Utah Jazz in 2021

Joey Linn | Oct 24, 2022

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The LA Clippers lost their franchise player during the 2021 playoffs, and many feel as if it cost them a chance at their first NBA championship. Leonard suffered a torn ACL after a collision with then Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles, and the play has been very controversial since then. While some have argued it was accidental, others feel as if it was a dirty play by Ingles.

Clippers forward Marcus Morris was asked about Leonard following Sunday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, and spoke about how tough it was to see him go down like that. Morris said he viewed the play by Ingles as a "cheap shot" and a "non-competitive play."

"For him to go out in such a — I felt like it was a cheap shot but, you know, such a cheap manner, I think that’s what hurt the most," Morris said of Leonard's injury. "A non-competitive play. He’s in great spirits. I know he’s happy to be out there."

The Clippers would eventually win that series against the Utah Jazz, overcoming an 0-2 deficit, but they did not have enough to advance to the NBA Finals without their best player. Now with him back, the team is hoping to reach a place they've never been in franchise history. They will need all hands on deck to make that happen.

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Published Oct 24, 2022

JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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