Kawhi Leonard has been a polarizing player. His success on the basketball court is also marred by an injury-prone career. The LA Clippers are looking to spend their first season without Paul George in the last four seasons, and they need Leonard to be healthy enough to lead the team in a stacked NBA Western Conference.
With training camp just days away and the regular season begins late October, the Clippers are faced with another injury from Kawhi Leonard.
In a report by ESPN reporter Ohm Youngmisuk, he bares that the team is taking precaution on the two-time NBA champion’s injury.
“Kawhi Leonard and Clippers have gone through a variety of medical treatments to control inflammation in knee since end of the season. I’m told Leonard and Clips feel they are in a good place now but obviously want to avoid situation like in playoffs where inflammation returns,” Youngmisuk posts on X.
Kawhi Leonard and Clippers have gone through a variety of medical treatments to control inflammation in knee since end of the season. I’m told Leonard and Clips feel they are in a good place now but obviously want to avoid situation like in playoffs where inflammation returns.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 25, 2024
There is still no word from the LA Clippers camp if Kawhi Leonard will be out for the season opener or how long his injury will last.
Kawhi Leonard is coming off his healthiest season with the LA Clippers
In the four seasons that Kawhi Leonard played for the LA Clippers since 2020, he is coming of his healthiest season, playing 68 regular season games and the team finished with a 51-31 record and fourth-best record in the NBA Western Conference.
Being an active contributor, Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He also shot 52% from the field and 33.6 beyond the three-point arc.
However, they were matched up against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round and had an early exit in six games. In the two games that he Leonard played, he was only able to contribute 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals. His field goal shooting dropped to 29.7%.
During the off-season, the Clippers lost Paul George and Russell Westbrook through free agency. Among the players that are tasked to fill in the huge shoes of former NBA All-Stars are Terance Mann, Noirman Powell, Nic Batum and Derrick Jones Jr.
The LA Clippers will have five pre-season games from October 6 to 18 against the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets. They open up their season at the Intuit Dome on October 24 and will host Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
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