The Los Angeles Clippers are one of several teams involved in the wild race for a spot in the NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference. On Tuesday night, their path to the postseason hit a snag.
They were facing off against the Sacramento Kings, another one of the teams looking to avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Clippers were defeated 109-95, snapping their three-game winning streak.
Alas, losing the game wasn’t the biggest concern for the franchise. Their big concern is the injury to Kawhi Leonard that is now looming over the team. Head coach Tyronn Lue spoke about the injury ahead of the matchup with the Kings, explaining that a knee issue came up on Sunday.
The game against the Kings was the last of a four-game road trip for the Clippers, as Leonard instead returned to Los Angeles for treatment. Lue is hopeful that Leonard will be back in the lineup on Thursday when they return home to face the Denver Nuggets, but he admitted they are still determining if that will be the case.
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Lue detailed his interactions with Leonard, as he first let it be known there could be an issue after the game on Sunday. On Monday, they found out there was an issue and that he would be returning home.
This is certainly a major concern for the Clippers. Leonard has been able to remain healthy this season, appearing in 68 games to this point. That is the most in a single season since the 2016-17 NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs.
The Clippers are three games ahead of the Kings, who are in seventh place in the Western Conference, tied with the Phoenix Suns. If Leonard is unable to get on the court for a few games, Los Angeles’ spot outside of the NBA Play-In Game is in peril.
Two games against the Suns next week in a back-to-back home-and-home series could determine their fate heading into the NBA Playoffs. The Clippers are hopeful Leonard is back before then, but based on his injury history, it is hard to tell when a return to the court will occur.
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