Kawhi Leonard injury update: What’s the latest setback that has ‘indefinitely’ ruled out the LA Clippers superstar?
Kawhi Leonard's return was one of the most highly anticipated segments of the 2022-23 NBA season. So far this season, the LA Clippers forward has only played two games and has been out for a good number of games.
Coming off an ACL injury, Kawhi Leonard spent the majority of the 2021-22 NBA season in rehab. It took a toll on the Clippers' chances last year as his teammate, Paul George, also had a hard time staying healthy. For this year's campaign, people were excited to see The Klaw back in action.
However, that hasn't been the case for Los Angeles and Leonard. He's expected to be under a minute restriction in order for him to slowly be part of the rotation. Coach Tyronn Lue also made it known to the public that the two-way forward won't play back-to-back games to keep him from making his injury worse.
Ahead of the Clippers' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was announced that he won't be playing.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss his 8th straight game today against the Cavaliers due to knee injury management.
The timetable on his return to the court remains “uncertain”, per @NotoriousOHM. https://t.co/ckeuHDEEJY
Former NBA All-Star Paul Pierce has also started calling out Leonard.
"How we talk about Anthony Davis not being available, we don't put Kawhi in that group," Pierce said.
Paul Pierce says Kawhi Leonard is not held 'accountable enough' for his availability to play in comparison to Anthony Davis.
(Via @shobasketball) https://t.co/36Lb5KwQFC
According to an article by Thomas Neuman of Sports Illustrated, the team is doing its best to exercise caution as Leonard works his way back from reconstructive knee surgery. Lue also said that the two-time champion is slowly getting better, but there's still no definite answer as to when he'll return. (via si.com)
"He’s progressing and he’s getting better, so that’s the most important thing," Lue said, "There’s really not a timeframe of when he’s going to be back."
The LA Clippers are currently 6-5 and will be back in action on November 9 to play against the LA Lakers.
The Clippers' situation with Kawhi Leonard looks similar to what the Spurs experienced
Prior to his current stint with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard was part of a San Antonio Spurs squad that had endless potential. He was supposed to be the next franchise star, but it all changed after he landed on Zaza Pachulia's foot.
During the 2017 playoffs, the Spurs matched up against the Golden State Warriors. All went well with the Spurs until Leonard's ankle injury. The Spurs lost that series and the relationship between the Spurs' management and Leonard was never the same.
The following season, Leonard was reported to have missed the beginning of the year due to a quad injury. Days became weeks, weeks became months, and after a long time, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year was ready to end his stint with San Antonio.
In the end, the quiet star got his wish and was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he won his second championship. The Spurs, on the other hand, have struggled to find their star since Leonard's departure.
Also read: Kawhi Leonard: Top 5 Performances By The Klaw As A Spur