Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard nonetheless has irritation in his surgically-repaired proper knee and his standing is questionable for Recreation 1 in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.
Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations, stated Leonard has but to undergo contact earlier than Thursday’s follow. Leonard had undergone surgical procedures to restore a torn ACL and meniscus in his proper knee.
Referring to some NBA betting websites, the Clippers maintain third-shortest odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are exhibiting higher odds for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.
Lawrence Frank’s opening assertion on Kawhi Leonard:
“Kawhi’s been coping with irritation for nearly 3 weeks in his proper knee. He’s doing all the things, our medical workers is doing all the things to get the irritation down so he can play. Progress has been made, however extra progress,… pic.twitter.com/mc8JZTfZBN
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 18, 2024
Frank added that Leonard’s knee stays structurally “strong and intact” however that the six-time All-Star is experiencing “some very, very cussed irritation.”
“He’s doing all the things,” Frank stated of Leonard’s rehabilitation. “Our medical workers is doing all the things to get the irritation down so he can play. Progress has been made, however extra progress [is needed]. The irritation must proceed to scale back so he can do purposeful basketball actions.
“There is no such thing as a gamesmanship right here. We’re very delicate of the truth that questions are going to be requested and need to be as clear as potential. It’s OK to say what the reality is. It’s unpredictable. We’re hoping it’s trending in the proper course. It’s a really correct assertion. When it will get to a degree the place he’s in a position to play, then that’s when he’ll be again on the court docket.”
Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (proper knee) questionable forward of Recreation 1 in opposition to Dallas Mavericks
Though Recreation 1 is Sunday and Leonard has time, he has not performed in a sport since March 31 and missed the final eight video games of the common season. The 12-year veteran dropped 30 factors at Dallas within the final matchup on Dec. 20.
“So when it comes to primarily based on the place we’re heading, is it potential he might play?” Frank stated on Thursday. “Positive, it’s potential. It’s Thursday. With every day, we’ll know increasingly more.”
When requested whether or not Leonard had an injection to assist with irritation, Frank stated he wouldn’t go into any additional particulars about extra therapies.
Frank stated Leonard has participated within the psychological levels of follow, comparable to movie research and personnel evaluate. Nevertheless, Clippers coach Ty Lue had saved the San Diego State product out of contact drills.
Lawrence Frank to @joeylinn_ on if there was any gamesmanship the previous couple of days/weeks with Kawhi Leonard’s damage:
“There is no such thing as a gamesmanship right here. We’re very delicate of the truth that questions are gonna be requested and we wanna be as clear as potential. And in addition it’s okay… pic.twitter.com/9tVd9WwJlB
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 18, 2024
“Clearly if he’s not wholesome to play at a sure second then he received’t be on the market,” Frank stated. “Since Kawhi’s tenure, when Kawhi is wholesome, he performs.
“And a few issues you may’t management, no matter how meticulous he’s together with his physique and all the things that goes into enjoying. You’ll be able to solely management what you may management and also you form of obtained to give up to the issues you may’t.
“We might by no means put Kawhi or anybody on the court docket if there’s grave danger or there’s danger for future damage. We’re hopeful that this irritation will get decreased, and he’ll be again on the court docket as rapidly as potential. However you may’t predict one thing that’s unpredictable.”
Kawhi Leonard underwent surgical procedure in July 2021 to restore a torn ACL he suffered in his proper knee throughout a second-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Utah Jazz. Final June, the 6-foot-7 wing underwent a “cleanup process” to restore a torn meniscus suffered in the identical knee throughout final season’s first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns.
In line with the damage report, Leonard is the one Clippers participant listed for Sunday’s sport.
NBA sportsbooks present the Clippers as 1-point underdogs in opposition to Dallas forward of Recreation 1. Per ESPN’s Basketball Energy Index, Los Angeles holds a 56.8% likelihood of defeating the Mavericks.