Kofi Inkoom
Kawhi Leonard hasn’t participated in full-team practice with the Los Angeles Clippers as they gear up to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the playoffs.
He hasn’t seen game action since March 31 due to swelling in his surgically repaired right knee. The series, which consists of up to seven games, tips off on Sunday in Los Angeles and the Clips are prepping to have him available for game 1.
“I’m preparing to have him on the court,” coach Tyronn Lue said Wednesday. “We just take it day-by-day. He’s getting better and we’ll see how much he continues to progress.”
Lue offered an apology to the media for displaying his evident irritation with the persistent inquiries about Leonard’s health. The team hasn’t granted Leonard the opportunity to address the matter himself.
Here’s your Kawhi Leonard sighting. pic.twitter.com/JxuqJMOr05
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 17, 2024
When questioned about Leonard’s condition following his restricted involvement in Tuesday’s practice, teammate Norman Powell declined to comment.
“That’s not on me to answer, man,” Powell said. “I let the organization and the coach talk about the status of Kawhi.”
Leonard hasn’t been in action since March 31 when he faced Charlotte. According to Lue, Leonard initially experienced discomfort in his knee during that game, but it became more serious the following day, prompting the team to send him back home from their road trip in Sacramento.
In July 2021, Leonard underwent surgery to mend a torn ACL in his right knee, sustained during a playoff series against Utah.
Then, in June of the following year, he had a procedure to address a torn meniscus from the previous season’s playoffs against Phoenix.
This season, Leonard managed to play 68 games, his highest since the 2016-17 season when he played 74 games with the San Antonio Spurs, and the most since joining the Clippers four years ago.
Despite his injury history, the All-Star forward posted impressive averages of 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists during the regular season.