Kawhi Leonard delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career on Sunday, December 28, and it wasn’t just the box score that had people talking afterward.
According to ClutchPoints, following a dominant outing against the Detroit Pistons, the Los Angeles Clippers star jokingly threatened to send his teammates a bill—specifically for his hair.
Leonard erupted for a career-high 55 points in the Clippers’ 112–99 win, marking the first 50-point game of his NBA career.
But once the final buzzer sounded and Leonard made his way back to the locker room, the usually stoic star was met with a familiar NBA ritual. Teammates celebrated the big night by dousing him with water, soaking his carefully maintained braids in the process.
Leonard didn’t appear upset, but he did have a message for the locker room—delivered entirely in good humor.
“I’m sending all y’all an invoice,” Leonard said, laughing, as cameras rolled. “Y’all gotta get my hair braided again.”
The moment quickly circulated online, landing as a rare glimpse of Leonard’s dry sense of humor. Known for keeping a low profile and maintaining strict routines during the season, Leonard typically doesn’t stray far from his signature braided look, which can be a pretty costly endeavor in the beauty salon.
The joke capped off a night that gave Clippers fans plenty to celebrate. Leonard scored his 55 points on just 26 shots, adding 11 rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. Defensively, Los Angeles also impressed, holding Detroit to 41 percent shooting from the field and limiting the Pistons to 24 percent from three-point range.
The win extended the Clippers’ momentum as they continue to search for consistency in a crowded Western Conference. Leonard’s recent play has been especially encouraging, with the forward topping 30 points in three of his last four games.