Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be out indefinitely due to a chronically injured right knee, confirmed by the team on Thursday. Leonard has been rehabilitating the knee since it became inflamed during Team USA’s pre-Olympics training camp. Coach Tyronn Lue mentioned that Leonard looked good leading up to the camp but experienced a setback once he started playing.
There is no timeline for Leonard’s return, and he has not participated in any team drills during the preseason. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, Lue emphasized that the team will continue to compete and win games until Leonard is back.
The Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-91 in their preseason finale, with notable contributions from Jordan Miller and Amir Coffey off the bench. James Harden did not play in the game, but the Clippers managed to secure the victory without him.
Leonard played 68 games last season, his most in a Clippers jersey, but his knee issues resurfaced at the end of the season. In May, he underwent a procedure to alleviate swelling and has been dealing with discomfort leading up to the current rehabilitation process. The team remains committed to supporting Leonard in his recovery and holding down the fort until his return.
Despite this setback, the Clippers are focused on maintaining a competitive edge in Leonard’s absence and look forward to his return. Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension in January 2024.
Source
Photo credit www.dailynews.com
