Kawhi Leonard has been officially ruled out for the rest of the preseason, and his availability for the LA Clippers' season opener on Oct. 23 remains uncertain. Clippers coach Ty Lue confirmed that Leonard will not participate in the preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, raising questions about his readiness for the upcoming season.
Knee Inflammation Keeps Leonard Out
Leonard, who has missed all three preseason games so far, continues to deal with inflammation in his right knee. The issue stems from a previously surgically repaired knee, where both his ACL and meniscus have been operated on. This condition also caused him to miss the last eight games of the previous regular season and limited his playoff appearances to just two games in a first-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Although Leonard has not engaged in contact drills during training camp, the team has been cautious, focusing on strengthening his knee, according to ESPN. Lue has emphasized that the Clippers are taking a patient approach, allowing Leonard ample time to recover and avoid long-term complications.
"Continue to keep rehabbing," Lue said when asked about the plan for Leonard this week. "Keep getting better. Keep checking the boxes."
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Medical Treatments and Cautious Approach
Leonard and the Clippers' medical staff have been working on different treatments to manage knee inflammation since last season. Leonard expressed confidence that the team now better understands how to handle his condition. However, he remains focused on staying healthy long-term, with an eye on being fully available later in the season.
Clippers' president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, confirmed at the beginning of camp that Leonard's knee still showed signs of inflammation. The team has prioritized safety, opting to hold him out of contact drills to avoid aggravating the injury.
Season Opener Uncertainty
The Clippers are set to face the Phoenix Suns on October 23 in the first regular-season game at the Intuit Dome, but Leonard's status remains unclear. When asked about the importance of playing in preseason games to prepare for the opener, Leonard acknowledged the need for a gradual buildup, especially considering his current condition.
"I feel good. Just been taking my time, getting stronger, and getting ready," Leonard said on Oct. 5, pertaining that his knees are fine.
While there is hope for his return soon, the team will likely approach his playing time cautiously, possibly having Leonard sit out back-to-back games to preserve his long-term health.
The Clippers will continue to evaluate the best path forward for Leonard, ensuring he remains healthy and available for the critical stages of the season.
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