The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2024 NBA Playoffs behind the eight ball. They were short-handed going into their first-round series with the Dallas Mavericks because of knee inflammation that Kawhi Leonard has been dealing with.
The last time we saw Leonard on an NBA court was March 31st when he suited up in a 130-118 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He looked good in the game, scoring 23 points with five rebounds and two assists, but his status has been murky since because of his knee.
Leonard was not in the lineup for Game 1 against the Mavericks, which the Clippers won 109-97 behind an excellent performance from James Harden. With Leonard out of the lineup, Harden took his aggressiveness to another level offensively, scoring 28 points with eight assists.
Prior to the series getting underway, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue expressed confidence that Leonard would be on the court eventually in the first round. Which game specifically he wasn’t able to provide an answer to, but it certainly sounds as if Leonard is getting close.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard & Los Angeles Clipper Updates
“He’s going to go through practice today and we’ll see,” Lue said on Monday when asked if Leonard will play Tuesday.
Leonard is officially listed as questionable for Game 2 tonight. It would not be a surprise to see him rest for at least one more game, as the Clippers have their sights set on a deep run in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. For that to happen, they need Leonard as healthy as possible; if he needs one more game off, so be it.
Another positive update on Leonard’s status was shared by Ohm Youngmisuk, an ESPN NBA reporter. He shared a video of the Clippers’ shootaround from earlier on Tuesday and their star was seen walking on the floor before things got started.
Updates will assuredly be provided throughout the day, but it is encouraging to see that Leonard is at least taking part in on-court activities. Lue said that he wouldn’t need much practice time, if any at all, to get on the court, as the team was confident once he was ready to play he could jump right into game action.
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