Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Expected To Return Saturday

All-Star Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard is expected to play his first game of the year with L.A. on Saturday against the Hawks, sources inform NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter video link). ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Leonard intends to play.

For their part, the Clippers officially upgraded Leonard’s status against Atlanta to questionable.

Last week, it was initially reported that the former two-time Finals MVP and the Clippers were targeting this January 4 tilt for Leonard’s return to action. It appears that remains very much the plan, and his ramp-up from an offseason procedure to address right knee inflammation is still on track.

Leonard took part in a 5-on-5 team scrimmage with L.A. last week, and has practiced with the club’s NBAGL affiliate, the San Diego Clippers, during L.A.’s recently-concluded three-game road trip.

L.A. went 1-2 on that road trip. But the Clippers have had a surprisingly robust start to their 2024/25 season sans Leonard, thanks in large part to the prolific scoring of guards James Harden and Norman Powell. The club is currently 19-15 on the season. That record is good for the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed, a solid finish without the team’s most expensive player.

In 2023/24, Leonard enjoyed his healthiest season yet while playing for his hometown team. Across 68 contests, the San Diego State alum averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks a night. He was named to his sixth All-Star and All-NBA teams for his efforts.

Sadly, the 33-year-old’s luck ran out in the postseason, as he survived just two playoff games for the Clippers. Leonard has not made it through the playoffs healthy since his first season with L.A., 2019/20.