The Clippers and Kawhi Leonard are targeting next Saturday, January 4, for the star forward’s return from the knee issue that has sidelined him for the entire 2024/25 season so far, reports Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Leonard dealt with inflammation in his right knee at the end of last season and battled the issue again during the summer, necessitating his removal from the U.S. Olympic team. He underwent a procedure on the troublesome knee during the offseason and continued to work his way back to full strength this fall, delaying his season debut.
As we relayed earlier today, Leonard isn’t traveling with the Clippers on their three-game road trip, which begins on Monday in New Orleans and runs through next Thursday in Oklahoma City.
However, he participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Thursday and the plan is for him to practice with the San Diego Clippers in the G League while the NBA squad is on the road.
The January 4 game vs. the Hawks is the Clippers’ first contest back at home following their road trip. Murray cautions (via Twitter) that there are still a number of boxes for Leonard to check within the next week, but if all goes well, it sounds as if the plan is for him to suit up vs. Atlanta.
Despite losing star forward Paul George during the offseason and missing Leonard for their first 30 games this season, the Clippers have remained highly competitive. They currently hold a 17-13 record, which technically makes them the No. 7 seed in the West, though they trail the No. 6 Lakers (17-13) in the standings by only a tiebreaker and the No. 5 Nuggets (16-12) by just percentage points.
Leonard’s return should make the Clippers an even greater threat in the Western Conference playoff race, assuming he can stay on the court. The two-time Finals MVP has missed 191 of 420 regular season games and 15 of 43 postseason contests since signing with L.A. in 2019.
When healthy, Leonard has continued to consistently play at an All-Star level. Last season, he averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game with a .525/.417/.885 shooting line in 68 outings, earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.
After missing the last seven games due to a sprained right knee, Los Angeles Clippers’ star forward Kawhi Leonard is targeting a return to the court on January 4. Leonard sustained the injury during a game against the Boston Celtics on December 25 and has been sidelined since.
The Clippers have struggled in Leonard’s absence, going 2-5 during that stretch. His return will be a welcome sight for the team as they look to get back on track and climb up the Western Conference standings.
Leonard’s presence on the court provides a significant boost to the Clippers on both ends of the floor. His scoring ability, defensive prowess, and leadership will be crucial as the team looks to make a push for the playoffs.
Fans are eagerly anticipating Leonard’s return and are hopeful that he can help the team turn things around. With his impending comeback, the Clippers are optimistic about their chances of success in the second half of the season. Stay tuned for more updates on Leonard’s return and the Clippers’ progress as they strive for a postseason berth.
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