Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (knee) will miss remainder of preseason

NBA: Preseason-Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles ClippersOct 8, 2024; Oceanside, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard (2) seems to be on from the bench throughout a preseason sport in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets at Frontwave Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photographs

Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard will miss the complete preseason as a result of a proper knee damage that calls into query his availability for the beginning of the common season.

With Los Angeles’ regular-season opener in opposition to the visiting Phoenix Suns set for Oct. 23, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned Monday of the speedy outlook for Leonard, “Proceed to maintain rehabbing. Hold getting higher. Hold checking the packing containers.”

Leonard performed in simply Video games 2 and three of the Clippers’ six-game loss to the Dallas Mavericks within the opening spherical of the Western Convention playoffs this previous spring due to points together with his proper knee.

Well being woes have plagued Leonard, a two-time NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr and two-time Finals MVP (with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019).

Within the 2023 playoffs, he sat out the ultimate three video games of the Clippers’ five-game, first-round loss to the Suns. Leonard missed Los Angeles’ final eight postseason video games in 2021 after hurting his proper knee, and he sat out the complete 2021-22 season after having his anterior cruciate ligament surgically repaired.

Leonard, 33, performed in 52 regular-season video games (50 begins) in 2022-23 and in 68 video games (all begins) final season.

He was named an All-Star for the sixth time in 2023-24, when he wound up with averages of 23.7 factors, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.

For his profession, Leonard places up 20.0 factors, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.

He performed with the Spurs from 2011-12 to 2017-18, with the Raptors for simply the 2018-19 season and with the Clippers ever since.

–Discipline Degree Media