After missing nearly half of the season, Kawhi Leonard is reportedly ready to make his season debut this Saturday.
The six-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP is expected to play in the Los Angeles Clippers’ upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks, as reported by veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes and The Athletic’s Law Murray. Leonard’s status has been upgraded from out to questionable with right knee injury recovery.
Last week, Leonard hinted at his return with a video on X, saying, “There’s been good days. There’s been bad days. But I keep coming back. It’s the nature of the game.”
Leonard has been absent from the NBA court since last season’s playoffs due to a right knee injury. Updates on his recovery have been minimal.
Will Kawhi Leonard’s injury woes affect the Clippers’ season?
Leonard was able to train with the U.S. men’s national team before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris but had to withdraw due to a knee procedure. Despite initially planning to play in the season opener, he was sidelined indefinitely with knee inflammation. Now, he is set to make his return.
The big question surrounding Leonard’s career is how long he can stay on the court and if he can contribute to playoff games. In his six seasons with the Clippers, he has only played 257 games, with 28 of them being in the postseason. Knee problems have caused him to miss the end of four consecutive seasons.
Despite Leonard’s absence and Paul George’s departure to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers have maintained a 19-15 record, currently ranking seventh in the Western Conference.
During Leonard’s absence, James Harden (21.8 points, 7.8 assists per game) and Norman Powell (23.9 points per game) have carried the offensive load. The NBA will soon witness the Clippers at full strength this weekend.