Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard might be sidelined indefinitely to start the 2024-25 NBA season as he rehabilitates from irritation in his proper knee, the crew introduced Thursday.
Leonard, 33, has neither performed in the course of the Clippers’ total preseason, which concludes Thursday in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, nor participated in any exercise involving on-court contact throughout coaching camp.
“He has not been part of what we’ve been doing each day,” Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw stated after Wednesday’s observe. “I do know the corporate line has been that we’re going to be affected person with him.”
Breaking: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is anticipated to be sidelined for an indefinite time frame to start out the NBA season as he rehabilitates the irritation in his proper knee, sources inform @ShamsCharania and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/d9yBevAqis
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2024
“So, he’s doing the whole lot that he can to rehab it and strengthen that knee on his personal with our medical employees. And we’re simply coping with the blokes that we’ve [available],” Shaw added.
Kawhi Leonard started to expertise irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee following a win at Charlotte on March 31. He missed the ultimate eight video games of final common season and was restricted to 2 video games within the postseason.
In January, Leonard and the Clippers agreed to a three-year, $153 million contract extension. His new deal carries no participant choice. He’s slated to make $52 million within the first yr and about $50 million per season over the subsequent two years.
Los Angeles Clippers will rely upon 10-time All-Star guard James Harden to steer the crew in Kawhi Leonard’s absence
With Kawhi Leonard out for a short time, the Clippers might be counting on James Harden to hold the offensive load. The 16-year veteran joined the franchise final yr throughout an early-season commerce from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden joined a star-studded Los Angeles crew that had Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook. Nevertheless, George is now in Philadelphia and Westbrook is with the Denver Nuggets.
Because the Clippers are extra restricted offensively, Harden should lead function gamers like Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, and Terance Mann. Final season, Harden averaged 16.6 factors, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.1 steals.
In fact, knee accidents have plagued Leonard all through his Clippers tenure. Since becoming a member of Los Angeles in 2019, he has missed 179 out of a potential 435 video games.
The 2-time Finals MVP sat out the whole 2021-22 season as a consequence of a torn ACL in his proper knee. Leonard additionally performed in 52 regular-season video games in 2022-23 and made 68 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
The Clippers host the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23 within the Intuit Dome’s first regular-season NBA recreation.
