NBA MVP Watch 2018-19: 5 Best performers from 17th October

#3 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi with a dunk

Stats: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists in 37 minutes of game time

9-of-22 shooting from the field, 5-of-6 shooting from the free throw line, +/- of +13

By the looks of it, Kawhi may or may not be 100% physically fit, but he's mentally right there in the zone to make a run for MVP honours. His defense was still catching up to the NBA rhythm, even though the Cavs made it a point to not run their offense through their swingmen when Leonard was on the floor - indications that he's still the league's biggest offense deterrent just by virtue of being on the floor.

His approach to the Raps' offense was about as good as one could have hoped. Having taken a number of feel-out shots from around the key at the start of the game, Kawhi's shot finally started falling at the end of the 2nd quarter. A big put-back dunk off a missed 3 from Valanciunas got him going, and he stopped forcing the issue.

Things are looking good for the Raps and the Klaw at the moment.