Kawhi Leonard undergoes knee procedure during offseason. © Twitter (@ShamsCharania)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who struggled with inflammatory response in his surgically repaired right knee last season, may not be ready for the opening game of the season in contrast to the Phoenix Suns on October 23. Reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Law Murray indicate that Leonard underwent a procedure on his knee during the offseason.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank stated that Leonard will focus on strengthening his knee during training camp and expressed uncertainty about his readiness for opening night. “I don’t have a crystal ball,” Frank said, as quoted by NBA reporter Mark Medina.
Last season, Leonard’s knee issues caused him to miss the final eight regular-season games and several playoff games against the Dallas Mavericks. However, there is cautious optimism regarding his recovery. The 33-year-old averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals last season, showcasing his critical role on the team.
Leonard’s accolades include being a six-time All-Star, an All-NBA player, and a two-time NBA champion. His experience is invaluable to the Clippers, especially following the departure of nine-time All-Star forward Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.
Injuries have plagued Leonard throughout his career, including a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 season and a right quad injury that restricted him to just nine games in 2017-18. Since then, he has missed 14 or more regular-season games each year. This past summer, he was also set to represent Team USA in the Olympics but was removed from the roster, reportedly due to concerns about his knee.
Team USA’s executive director, Grant Hill, acknowledged Leonard’s desire to participate, stating, “I know what it’s like to want to do something, and your body’s just not right.” Despite this, the Clippers were disappointed by the decision. Frank noted that Leonard looked good during initial practices, regretting that the program moved in a different direction.
As one of the NBA’s top two-way players when healthy, Leonard is a cornerstone of the Clippers’ franchise. The team remains hopeful that he can recover and have a healthy season, even if it means missing the opener. Frank indicated that there is a possibility it won’t be a long-term concern affecting Leonard throughout the year.
