Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard is dealing with uncertainty heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. After coping with knee irritation final season, Leonard underwent a process on his surgically repaired proper knee through the offseason, in line with The Athletic.
With the season opener in opposition to the Phoenix Suns looming on Oct. 23, Leonard’s availability is in query. Clippers president Lawrence Frank provided an replace on Leonard’s standing, stating that the 33-year-old ahead shall be restricted throughout coaching camp.
The 33-year-old’s standing for the beginning of the season remains to be up within the air, as Clippers president Lawrence Frank revealed that Leonard shall be restricted to knee-strengthening workouts throughout coaching camp. Frank acknowledged the uncertainty round Leonard’s return, saying, “I don’t have a crystal ball on when he’ll be prepared.”
Kawhi Leonard has had a sequence of harm setbacks lately, considerably impacting his availability. Final season, Leonard missed the ultimate eight regular-season video games and several other playoff matchups in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks as a consequence of swelling in his proper knee. His absence in essential video games contributed to the Clippers’ early exit within the first spherical of the playoffs.
This isn’t the primary time Leonard has confronted prolonged day without work the courtroom. Accidents have plagued him all through his profession, together with a torn ACL that saved him out of the complete 2021-22 season. Previous to that, a proper quad harm restricted him to simply 9 video games in 2017-18. Leonard has persistently missed 14 or extra video games every season since then.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers Updates
Regardless of these challenges, Leonard stays an important a part of the Clippers’ roster. Final season, he averaged 23.7 factors, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per sport. His accolades embrace being a six-time All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA champion.
Kawhi Leonard was anticipated to play for Crew USA within the Summer season Olympics however was changed by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. The choice got here as a shock to many, together with Clippers president Lawrence Frank, who expressed disappointment with the transfer.
Based on Frank, Leonard participated absolutely in Crew USA’s first two practices and seemed able to compete, just for the group to finally resolve in any other case. “We wished him to play. Kawhi wished to play,” Frank mentioned about Leonard’s standing this offseason. “I used to be fairly frankly very disillusioned with the choice.”
Crew USA govt director Grant Hill praised Leonard for his dedication to this system, however well being issues surrounding his proper knee led to the choice.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers Updates
“I feel he wished to be right here, like all these guys wish to be right here, and we don’t take that calmly in any respect,” Hill mentioned, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “It speaks to this system and the chance, and so, personally talking, I do know what it’s wish to wish to do one thing and your physique’s simply not proper.”
Frank, however, voiced his frustration with Crew USA’s choice to switch Leonard, believing that Leonard might have competed. “I used to be there the primary two practices, he seemed excellent,” Frank mentioned. “He was a full participant in every part that they did. I wasn’t there for the third follow the place finally that was the purpose the place they determined to go in a unique path.”
Frank added, “I actually want that they’d’ve given Kawhi extra time.”
Hill famous that it was finally the group’s name to prioritize Leonard’s long-term well being, citing the potential danger of aggravating his harm. “I feel he wished to be right here, like all these guys wish to be right here, and we don’t take that calmly in any respect,” Hill mentioned.
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