Clippers HC opens up about Kawhi Leonard's injury struggles

LA Clippers superstar forward Kawhi Leonard continues to be plagued by injuries, with his return date still in question. However, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue isn't holding the two-time NBA champion's lack of availability against him.

Leonard has yet to suit up this season as he rehabs from right knee inflammation. The six-time All-Star underwent an offseason procedure to correct the issue, which limited him to two 2024 playoff outings. However, he has faced a slow road to recovery.

Leonard's injury updates have been few and far between. He was dubbed out "indefinitely" in mid-October. A few days later, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard would "miss multiple weeks but is expected to play this season."

Last month, Leonard was cleared to resume shooting work. Nevertheless, he remains without an official return timetable 25 games into the season.

In 2021 and 2023, Leonard had ACL and meniscus surgeries on the same knee. Thus, many are concerned his repeated right knee problems could hinder his prospects of returning to form.

On Friday's episode of "The Stephen A. Smith Show," ESPN's Stephen A. Smith asked Lue about his "superstar player almost never (being) available when it counts." The 2016 NBA championship coach pushed back, noting that Leonard's injury woes are not his fault.

"For him, it's more frustrating. He wants to be on the floor. He wants to play every single night, and it's just bad timing," Lue said. "It's not like he said, 'Okay, (when) we get to the playoffs, I don't want to play.'

"It's been some tough days, some tough nights, and I've talked to Kawhi nights where he's almost crying just talking about how he let the team down. But you can't do anything about injuries."

Lue added that Leonard consistently puts in the work required to return as soon as possible.

"He's another guy that works extremely hard every single day to be on the floor, to be on the court, and it's just some unfortunate luck," Lue said. "... It's not by design. I mean, this guy works hard every single day in the weight room, on the court, on his game, everything, every single day."

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Clippers remaining competitive in Kawhi Leonard's absence

While Kawhi Leonard hasn't played a game this season, LA has remained competitive. Through 25 outings, the squad sits sixth in the crowded Western Conference (14-11).

Star guard James Harden and veteran role players Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac have taken on increased workloads in Leonard's absence. Powell, in particular, is averaging a team-best and career-high 23.6 points per game, shooting 49.2% and 48.6% from 3-point range across 18 appearances.

If Leonard returns in the next few weeks, the Clippers appear well-positioned to make the playoffs. However, if his absence extends into the new year, LA may face difficulty staying afloat.

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