Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Will be available for 2023-24
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Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said Thursday that Leonard (knee) "will be ready for next year. The ACL is firmly in tact," Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Leonard's postseason was cut short due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. The superstar forward has been plagued with injuries in recent years, failing to play over 60 games every season since 2016-17. While Leonard will reportedly be available for the start of the 2023-24 campaign, the veteran may be bound for load management again next season.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Diagnosed with torn meniscus
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Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Leonard missed the Clippers' final three postseason games, and although he was recently considered day-to-day, he'll face a lengthy recovery process now that the team has been eliminated from the playoffs. The 31-year-old has battled several injuries in recent seasons and averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 33.6 minutes per game over 52 matchups during the 2022-23 campaign. Whether he'll be available for the start of the 2023-24 season remains to be seen.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Out for Game 5
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Leonard (knee) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 versus Phoenix, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
This isn't surprising as Leonard was unable to practice Monday, and with the Clippers down 1-3 in the series, it's possible we may have already seen the last of the star forward this season. Norman Powell, Eric Gordon and Nicolas Batum will continue to pick up the slack in his absence.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Doesn't practice Monday
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Leonard (knee) didn't participate in Monday's practice session, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
Leonard has missed the last two games due to a right knee sprain, and he received treatment Monday instead of practicing. It's unclear whether he'll be available for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Suns, but coach Ty Lue said after Monday's practice that "there's always a possibility" that Leonard is able to suit up.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Without return timetable
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The Clippers are treating Leonard (knee) as day-to-day and aren't sure if he'll be available for the remainder of the first-round playoff series with Phoenix, Chris Haynes of TNT reports.
Leonard has already been ruled out for Game 4 on Saturday due to a right knee sprain unrelated to his ACL tear from two years ago. While there's a possibility the superstar forward can return this series, Haynes relays Leonard's chances of playing are "not looking good." More information on Leonard's situation will likely be released ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Remains out for Game 4
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Leonard (knee) won't play in Game 4 on Saturday versus Phoenix, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Leonard will miss his second straight game Saturday due to a right knee sprain. Norman Powell figures to draw another start in the star forward's absence. Leonard's next chance to suit up will be Game 5 on Tuesday.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Won't play in Game 3
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Leonard is out for Thursday's game versus the Suns due to a right knee sprain, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Leonard aggravated his knee in Game 1 and is expected to be day-to-day ahead of Game of 4 on Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. The superstar forward is averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 40.5 minutes across the first two contests of the series and will be a significant loss for a Clippers team already without Paul George (knee). Nicolas Batum, Norman Powell, Amir Coffey and Robert Covington are candidates to receive extended minutes in Leonard's absence.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Powers offense in loss
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Leonard closed with 31 points (11-20 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-7 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 39 minutes during Tuesday's 123-109 loss to Phoenix in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Leonard followed up his stellar Game 1 total with another excellent game despite being double-teamed by the Suns frequently. Although Russell Westbrook's improved play has allowed for another reliable scoring option for the Clippers, Paul George's (knee) absence continues to hamper the team's potential to advance. The Suns are deeper than the Clippers, and Leonard will have a much harder time willing his team through the bracket than he did with the Raptors three years ago.
Leonard had 38 points (13-24 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 9-10 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 42 minutes during Sunday's 115-110 win over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round.
With Paul George (knee) still sidelined, Leonard provided the offensive firepower once again in the upset win. Few players have been as effective as Leonard over the past month, averaging 24.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists over his final 10 games of the regular season. Leonard should remain one of the safest DFS options available in the playoffs while George is absent.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Expected to play Sunday
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Coach Tyronn Lue said that no Clippers players are expected to rest Sunday against the Suns, meaning Leonard will end up playing both ends of the Saturday-Sunday back-to-back, Joey Linn of SI.com reports. During Saturday's win over the Trail Blazers, Leonard delivered 27 points (7-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 10-10 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one block in 29 minutes.
The Clippers have their sights set on grabbing the highest seed possible, even if that means facing the Suns in Round 1. Assuming Leonard plays Sunday, it will be his first appearance in both ends of a back-to-back since April 2021.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Playing front end of back-to-back
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Leonard will take the floor in the first game of a back-to-back set Saturday versus the Trail Blazers, Mark Medina of NBA.com reports.
Leonard hasn't played both games of a back-to-back yet this season, but that could change Sunday with playoff positioning on the line. Leonard has been carrying more of the offensive load with Paul George (knee) still sidelined, going over 40 minutes in his last two appearances. It seems unlikely he could handle that amount of work on back-to-back days, so look for Leonard to see his minutes scaled back slightly Saturday if the staff also intends to play him Sunday.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Logs 43 minutes in win
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Leonard recorded 25 points (9-17 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 43 minutes during Wednesday's 125-118 win over the Lakers.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue clearly saw this as an important game for his team to win, as he played Leonard 43 minutes -- the most the veteran forward has played in a non-overtime game this season. While Leonard didn't lead the team in scoring -- that honor went to Norman Powell -- he did shoot an efficient 9-for-17 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Leonard appears to be in fine form as the playoffs draw near, as he's averaging 32.5 points on 53.3 percent shooting over his past two games.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Explodes for 40 points Saturday
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Leonard totaled 40 points (15-28 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one block across 41 minutes during Saturday's 122-114 loss to the Pelicans.
Leonard played in the second game of a back-to-back set for the first time all season, and judging by his production, he wasn't affected from a fatigue standpoint. After an injury-laden start to the season, Leonard has likely been a key piece for a lot of championship fantasy squads, putting up top-five value in nine-category leagues over the past two months. Saturday's loss leaves the Clippers just a half-game ahead of the Pelicans for a chance to avoid a spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, so Leonard looks like a good bet to play in all three of L.A.'s games during the upcoming week.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Cleared to play Saturday
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Leonard will be fully cleared to play Saturday against the Pelicans, per Law Murray of The Athletic.
Leonard was ruled out at halftime of Friday's game, as the Clippers simply wanted to preserve him for the second leg of the back-to-back. Presumably, Leonard will see a normal workload against the Pelicans after playing only 18 minutes Friday night.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Sitting remainder of game
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Leonard will sit out the remainder of Friday's game versus the Grizzlies due to rest but plans to suit up in Saturday's matchup with the Pelicans, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Leonard isn't injured, but the Clippers are trying to preserve him so he can play the second leg of their back-to-back Saturday. The star forward will finish the game with 12 points, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 18 minutes. Norman Powell started the second half in Leonard's place.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Will play versus Memphis
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Leonard (personal) will play Friday against the Grizzlies, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Leonard missed Wednesday's win over Memphis due to personal reasons and was questionable for Friday's rematch, but he's ultimately been cleared for action. In five appearances before his absence, Leonard averaged 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals in 34.4 minutes per game.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Present for shootaround
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Leonard (personal) was present at the Clippers' morning shootaround Friday, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard is questionable for Friday's matchup after missing Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies for personal reasons, but his presence at the team's shootaround is encouraging. If he's available, Terance Mann will likely retreat to the bench.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Questionable for Friday
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Leonard (personal) is considered questionable for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Leonard was absent for personal reasons Wednesday against the Grizzlies, and it looks like his availability for Friday is up in the air as well. If he's forced to sit again, Terance Mann would likely draw another start for the Clippers.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Won't play Wednesday
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Leonard has been ruled out for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies due to personal reasons, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum, Norman Powell and Amir Coffey are candidates to receive increased minutes in Leonard's absence. Leonard's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Memphis.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Produces balanced stat line Monday
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Leonard (face) registered 22 points (8-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one blocked shot over 33 minutes Monday in a 124-112 victory versus the Bulls.
Leonard wasn't the team's leading scorer -- that honor surprisingly went to Nicolas Batum -- but the star forward nonetheless finished with 20-plus points for 12th time in his past 13 contests. The exception during that span was Leonard's previous time on the court, when he had to leave the game early after taking an elbow to the face. Leonard showed no lingering effects from that incident against Chicago, as he was efficient for the field and tied for the team lead with seven boards.
