Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery on his right knee, according to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. The two-time Finals MVP suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.
“Just a cleanup, went terrific,” Frank said on June 22. “Very quick procedure. He feels great. Eight-week recovery from time of surgery where you are back on the court playing like it was a game. We are very fortunate that it was just a quick little cleanup.”
Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in Games 1 and 2 of the first round against the Suns before missing the rest of the series because of the torn meniscus injury. The Suns beat the Clippers in five games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Los Angeles acquired Leonard and Paul George in the summer of 2019. However, the franchise hasn’t come close to winning a championship. Frank, though, has no plans to break up Leonard and George.
“It’s still the plan,” Frank said. “What we are trying to do is how can we put together the best team around these guys? And we look at the different things, what has worked, what hasn’t worked, the job that we have to do better, the job that we challenge our players to continue to do better. We are trying to maximize these two and figure out ways we can get better.”
Leonard and George have only played in 118 games together. The Clippers are 83-35 when the two All-Stars are in the lineup.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers have some big decisions to make about the futures of Leonard and George. Both forwards have $48 million player options for the 2024-25 season and can be extended an additional four years for $220 million.
“It’s premature,” Frank said. “We do talk what the plan is, but we really can’t get into those specifics until the appropriate date and we will have the dialogues like we do. We are very, very honest and [have] open conversations and see if there is something that makes sense for both sides.”
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