Kawhi Leonard Injury: Clippers HC Ty Lue gives alarming update on 2-time NBA Finals MVP’s knee issue

Kawhi Leonard has appeared in 68 games for the LA Clippers this season, which is his highest number since the 2016-17 season when he was a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the addition of James Harden, Leonard’s strong and consistent performance has played a significant role in his team’s current position as one of the top four teams in the Western Conference. It could be argued that the team’s hopes for a championship still rely heavily on “The Claw.”

Despite helping the Clippers defeat the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Leonard abruptly ended his road trip with the team to fly back to Los Angeles. In a press conference, Ty Lue expressed his optimism that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year would return for the upcoming match against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. However, as the game in Denver approached, Lue’s hope turned into concern when he was questioned once more about Leonard’s availability.

Upon being asked about Kawhi Leonard, Ty Lue shared his response with the media through Tomer Azarly.

“We’re not gonna get into the details of it, but he’s gonna miss a couple of games and we need to be ready to step up as he goes through his rehab process.”

The ex-Cleveland Cavaliers coach declined to provide a direct response when questioned about whether Leonard underwent an MRI. According to Justin Russo from the “Clip & Roll”podcast, the Clippers’ top player will not only be absent from the upcoming Nuggets game, but will also reportedly be sidelined for Friday’s match against the Utah Jazz and Sunday’s game against his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What is Kawhi Leonard’s expected return date?

If Justin Russo’s prediction holds true, Kawhi Leonard may play for the LA Clippers against the Phoenix Suns on Apr. 9. However, since LA will have back-to-back games against the same opponents, it remains uncertain which version of “The Claw”will appear. Considering the difficulties of missing previous games, it is unlikely that he will participate in both.

Following the mini-series against the Suns, the Clippers will remain at home as they close out the regular season by hosting the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets. It is uncertain how the team will fare without Leonard in several of their upcoming games.

Despite the outcome of the regular season, the LA Clippers will continue to be a formidable opponent if Kawhi Leonard returns. Whether they secure a spot through the play-in tournament or automatically make it to the playoffs, Los Angeles will not go down without a fight. However, without Leonard, the team may face another disappointing season, adding to the frustration of previous seasons during Leonard’s time with the Clippers.