NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard, 5x All-Star, not restricted at all in recovery from torn ACL, still no timetable for return to game action
NBA and LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season due to an ACL injury. The two-time champion suffered the injury in last year's postseason battle against the Utah Jazz.
According to a report from The Athletic, Kawhi Leonard is continuing his rehab and currently has no restrictions in the process. The two-time champion also seems to be as focused as can be, according to the report. The report discussed the lack of restrictions placed on Leonard during his continued rehab sessions. The report also indicates that Leonard is determined to continue his progress. The ACL injury, as cited frequently in the report, is a difficult recovery process, making Leonard's progress all the more impressive.
There is still no timeline on the superstar's return to competitive action. The LA Clippers were considered heavy favorites to come out of the West during the 2021-22 season. Leonard's injury, however, made it easy for the Phoenix Suns to beat them in the Western Conference Finals in 2021.
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Lawrence Frank suggested that Kawhi Leonard was progressing well.
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Expectations for Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers in the 2022-23 NBA season?
The road to the NBA Finals in the West is as tough as it gets. But the LA Clippers are loaded going into the 2022-23 season, especially with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George coming back into the fray. It is easy to forget that Leonard is one of the best players in the league alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Coming into the 2021-22 NBA season, Kawhi Leonard signed a new four-year deal with the Clippers, with the fourth year being a player option worth over $48 million. The deal will see him earn $176.3 million over four years.
KahwhiLeonard could have signed a two-year deal for the immediate future and then become eligible for a deal worth over $240 million. Instead, he signed a long-term deal with the Clippers.
3 years ago today, Kawhi Leonard won his 2nd ring and Finals MVP 🔥
RD 1: 27.8 PTS - 6.6 REB - 56% FG
RD 2: 34.7 PTS - 9.9 REB - 53% FG
ECF: 29.8 PTS - 9.5 REB - 2.2 STL
Finals: 28.5 PTS - 9.8 REB - 2.0 STL
LeBron and MJ are the only 2 players with more points in a playoff run. https://t.co/Gfi3pofIOw
Kawhi Leonard has won the title with two different franchises (Spurs and Raptors). The superstar knows what it takes to get the job done, and the LA Clippers have invested heavily in him by attempting to surround him with the right pieces. While they still lack a quintessential point guard, they could acquire one before the start of the season.
As mentioned before, the road to the NBA Finals is tough, but the LA Clippers, led by Leonard, have the ability to get the job done and win the franchise's first NBA championship.