The Los Angeles Clippers, who open the season against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23, are reportedly going to be without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard indefinitely.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to ESPN’s Shams Charania on X, “Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for indefinite period of time to start the NBA season as he rehabilitates the inflammation in his right knee, league sources tell me and @NotoriousOHM.”
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for indefinite period of time to start the NBA season as he rehabilitates the inflammation in his right knee, league sources tell me and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/M5wFYIWGiv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024
“The Clippers and Leonard are in the midst of a rehab process for the two-time NBA Finals MVP that is aimed at bringing sustainability for him on the court through the season, and the franchise will be diligent and cautious to ensure his fitness long term,” Charania wrote in a story on the news.
Leonard has not played at all for the Clippers in the preseason after he began to experience inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee late last season. He missed the final eight games of the regular season and played in two contests of L.A.’s six-game series loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
Leonard has dealt with a variety of injuries throughout his career and missed 179 of 435 possible games with the Clippers since signing with them in 2019. He notably tore his meniscus against the Suns in the first round of the playoffs in 2023.
Kawhi Leonard has had MAJOR injuries in his career & is now out indefinitely to start the 2024-25 NBA season with more knee inflammation.
Kendrick Perkins says Kawhi should step away from the game of basketball to get healthy.
Thoughts? ???? pic.twitter.com/LGVeLJ7OrB
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) October 17, 2024
After his injury against the Suns, Leonard was still able to play in 68 games with the Clippers last year, the most he has played in a single year since 2016-17. He averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals on the season.
The Clippers, who lost Paul George in free agency to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, overpowered the Suns in their first three meetings last season, winning by an average margin of 16.3 points. Leonard played in the first two matchups, averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals.
Phoenix not only plays the Clippers next Wednesday, but also takes them on in another road game on Oct. 31. The two teams do not play each other in Phoenix until Jan. 27.
James Harden, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Derrick Jones Jr. and Ivica Zubac figure to make up the new starting lineup for Los Angeles without Leonard.
Kevin Durant ‘trying to focus on basketball’ with contract extension deadline approaching
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
