Kawhi Leonard Injury Update: Latest on 2-time NBA Finals MVP’s status vs Nuggets (April 4)

The topic of conversation leading up to the LA Clippers’ home game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday revolves around Kawhi Leonard’s availability. He was unexpectedly absent from Tuesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. However, for the majority of the season, he has been able to avoid injuries and has appeared in 68 out of 75 games.

Despite his latest injury setback being a knee ailment, there are still concerns about its impact. For the past few seasons, he has consistently missed playing time due to recurring knee issues. This injury also cut his 2023 playoffs short, as he was unable to play in the last two games of the Clippers’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, ultimately resulting in LA’s loss.

Kawhi Leonard’s Return: Updates on His Availability Against the Nuggets

Despite missing his seventh game of the year, Leonard will not be playing against the Nuggets due to a right knee injury. However, Coach Ty Lue reassured that it is not a long-term problem, which is a positive update. This is crucial as Leonard’s presence is vital for the team’s chances of making a strong push in the playoffs.

The Mystery Surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s Absence from the NBA

Despite not being listed on the Clippers’ injury report prior to Tuesday’s game, Kawhi Leonard sustained a right knee injury during their matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. The team later added him to the report just hours before tipoff. This injury adds to the other back, groin, adductor, and hip injuries that the Clippers star has faced this season, resulting in a total of six absences.

Analyzing Kawhi Leonard’s Performance Against the Denver Nuggets: Impact on LA Clippers’ Upcoming Matchup

In 33 games against the Denver Nuggets, Leonard has maintained an average of 19.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Out of those 33 games, he has emerged victorious 21 times.

In the three games between the Clippers and the Nuggets this season, Leonard averaged 21.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. The Clippers won two out of the three games against the reigning champions.

In the Clippers’ last game against the Nuggets on Dec. 6, Leonard recorded 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists while shooting 50.0% from the field, contributing to their 111-102 victory.

Despite the absence of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers continue to struggle with offensive production from Paul George and James Harden. Additionally, Leonard’s defensive prowess will be sorely missed against the Denver Nuggets, leaving the team at a disadvantage against their formidable frontline.

It is probable that Norman Powell will once again be given the starting position in place of Leonard, and it is possible that Russell Westbrook’s playing time will increase.

How to livestream Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers?

TNT and TruTV will have a national broadcast of the Denver Nuggets-LA Clippers game, while Altitude 2, a local TV operator, will also be airing the game. For international viewers, the game can be streamed through NBA League Pass. The game will take place at 10:00 p.m. ET at the Crypto.com Arena, the Clippers’ home arena.