Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard is ready for the 2023-24 NBA season to start. The two-time Finals MVP, who underwent right knee surgery in the offseason, is at 100% for the first time in a while.
“Today, I feel good,” Leonard said, via Mark Medina of The Messenger. “I’m ready to go when the season starts.”
Leonard appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. The future Hall of Famer only played in Games 1 and 2 of the Phoenix Suns series in the first round of the 2023 playoffs before suffering his knee injury.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“It wasn’t just about performance and about numbers,” Leonard said. “It’s about how your overall body is feeling at the time. I felt like I was still trying to get through some humps and to just get healthy. But I was able to show fans, other players in the league and myself that I can play at a high level.”
The Clippers signed Leonard in the summer of 2019 and traded for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals yet. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates.
Leonard has played in 161 games with the Clippers. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. LAC has never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Clippers are potentially facing a crossroads with their roster since Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season. If Los Angeles doesn’t compete for a title this season, the Leonard-George era could end next offseason.
Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee, believes the Clippers “skipped some steps” last season. It will be fascinating to see how LA plays in 2023-24.
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