With just under eight minutes remaining and the Los Angeles Clippers leading the Minnesota Timberwolves by 24 points on Wednesday night, Kawhi Leonard passed the ball off to Jordan Miller. The third-year wing then threw down a powerful dunk over Julius Randle that quickly made rounds on social media. 

It was a poetic moment for a rising star that perfectly encapsulated just how far he has come in a short amount of time. Miller went from a guy not playing much at all to a real significant role player on this team in a hurry. After the game, he spoke on the exciting moment in the locker room. 

"I mean, I can jump," Miller said. "It's just, I felt good tonight. Body felt good. It's been a lot of time honestly recovering, because this is like the longest stint I've played since I've been a Clipper." 

It's been one wild season in Southern California. The Clippers have effectively played three seasons all in one. Before they got back to their winning ways, they looked like a prime candidate to end the year with a top-five pick. 

But then, Miller became a key component to LA's midseason surge as they began to look like a team no one could stop. Now, Jordan is continuing to help this group trend upward even after a wild trade deadline. 

Now that Jordan Miller is a guy that opposing teams have no use but to scout for more, one reporter asked him if he is switching up his offensive approach some now that defenders are getting increasingly used to guarding him. 

"Ultimately, I feel like I have the tools to find the right answer in every situation," Miller said. "Right now it's just a matter of what I need to pull out my bag that meets that situation." 

This is a player whose confidence is clearly growing right in front of our eyes. Miller isn't rattled by the increased attention from opposing defenses at all. He's taking the challenge on nightly, and that's the kind of mentality you see from guys that end up becoming true difference-makers over the course of their careers. 

The Clippers continue to roll, and Jordan Miller is a big reason why. His growth from fringe rotation player to legitimate contributor has been one of the quieter but significant stories of LA's remarkable turnaround this season.

He's learning on the fly what the physical demands are of being a nightly rotation contributor, but there's not one part of him that doesn't want to embrace the situation. That should have Clippers fans grinning from ear to ear. 

Miller's next challenge will likely be a first-round playoff series. If what we've been seeing from him all season is any indicator, he'll be ready to pass that test with flying colors as well.