Kawhi Leonard has had a tough time staying on the floor over his half-decade tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers. The six-time All-Star has missed two games in the Clippers’ first-round series with the Dallas Mavericks with right knee inflammation. Speaking on the Run It Back podcast, Shams Charania reported that he is expected to miss more time, stating:
The expectation is Kawhi Leonard is going to miss more time here with the knee inflammation. The Clippers actually made the decision as an organization after seeing Kawhi Leonard play in Games 2 and 3, to shut him down for Game 4 and until they feel like he has enough mobility in that knee.
He’s been dealing with inflammation. That’s the same right knee that he had a torn ACL in 2021. Last year, in 2023, he had a torn meniscus on that knee. This is something where Kawhi Leonard has to manage it… I think they’re going to have to continue to play on here without Kawhi Leonard.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP has missed 161 out of 390 potential games since joining the franchise. Additionally, has missed 13 out of 41 postseason games – all in the franchise’s past 17 postseason games. While he played in 68 games during the regular season – his most since 2016-17 – he missed the final eight games. Leonard led the team in scoring, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 52.5% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range and 88.5% from the free-throw line.
Team USA could be concerned with health of Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard received the 12th and final spot on the stacked Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. His latest injury could affect his roster spot, however, according to Shams Charania, who stated:
Team USA has to be, also, on alert as far as will Kawhi Leonard really go through with being on this team. The injury aspect is a concern. If he does not play this postseason, of course, it’s something you have to look at.
Leonard is expected to be in Paris representing Team USA this summer. His latest injury, however, could put him in jeopardy of losing his roster spot. He has had minimal production in his two games played this postseason. The two-time champion is averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. He is shooting 45.8% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line, while missing all of his three-point shots.
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