INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard is in no rush to break free of the minutes restriction he has been playing under since making his season debut recently.
“I’m taking my time,” the LA Clippers superstar said. “I done that in the past and it led me on the bench, so I’m good where I’m at.”
Leonard had six points on 3-for-9 shooting and five rebounds in 21 minutes of his third game, a 109-98 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night. He didn’t play in the fourth quarter of a game in which the Clippers trailed by 13 early.
“Happy we got the win,” he said. “Good team win.”
The Clippers are 21-17 and sixth in the West.
“I’m just playing really and trying to do my job to help the team win,” Leonard said.
Leonard has totaled 26 points and 10 rebounds in 61 minutes over the three games. The two-time NBA Finals MVP started the season late while needing time to rehabilitate and strengthen his surgically repaired right knee that ended his previous few seasons early.
“I feel good and as long as I’m feeling good on the court, I’m able to move quickly, get to my spots,” he said. “That’s all I’m looking for.”
Leonard’s teammates are working to slowly incorporate him into what they built over the early part of the season. They were 19-15 before he came back.
“He’s just working his way into conditioning-wise, playing-wise, flow of the game, like all of the above,” James Harden said. “He hadn’t had a training camp, preseason, none of that, so for us it’s just trying to make his job a lot easier.”
The Clippers provided few and typically vague updates on Leonard’s progress over the early part of the season, when he didn’t speak to media.
“Kawhi is one of the best players in the league,” center Ivica Zubac said. “When he gets his legs under him and rhythm, he’s going to be really good.”
Leonard didn’t play at Denver last week after wildfires broke out in the Los Angeles area. He left the team to return to his family.
“Just trying to get the family in order, making sure that everybody is settled and safe,” he said.
Asked if his house was OK, Leonard responded, “As we know everybody is not OK. You seen the houses burn down, so it’s self-explanatory.”
The Los Angeles Clippers’ star player Kawhi Leonard is taking a cautious approach to his return to play after suffering a knee injury earlier this season. Despite the team’s recent struggles, Leonard is not rushing back to the court and is focused on fully recovering before making his comeback.
In a recent interview, Leonard stated, “I’m just taking it day by day and listening to my body. I want to make sure I’m 100% healthy before I return to play. It’s important for me to be able to perform at my best and help my team win games.”
Leonard’s dedication to his health and well-being is commendable, as many athletes often feel pressured to return to play before they are fully ready. The Clippers are surely missing their star player on the court, but they understand the importance of Leonard’s long-term health and are supporting his decision to prioritize his recovery.
Fans can rest assured that when Leonard does make his return, he will be in top form and ready to lead the Clippers to victory. In the meantime, the team will continue to work hard and improve their game in his absence.
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