Kawhi Leonard has been coping with knee points since April. He was affected by irritation in his proper knee, the identical knee that he beforehand suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn meniscus in 2023. As such, that knee has undergone vital quantities of surgical procedure.
Nevertheless, on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that he had as soon as once more acquired surgical procedure and shall be restricted to strengthening the knee throughout the Los Angeles Clippers coaching camp.
When talking to the media, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank avoided setting a time frame for Leonard’s return to basketball actions or whether or not he shall be constantly accessible all through the season.
“I feel the timing is all going to rely on how his knee responds to every section,” Frank mentioned. “Nobody has a crystal ball. We’re trending in a very, actually good route. I do know he’s tremendous decided to have an excellent 12 months, however the timing in terms of your physique and your well being, I don’t suppose you set time frames on it. I feel you simply have to answer how he responds.”
Leonard, 33, has struggled for availability throughout his 5 years with the Clippers. Final season noticed him play his highest quantity of single-season video games for the franchise, culminating in 68 regular-season appearances and two postseason outings.
In a recent article for The Athletic, Legislation Murray contextualized Leonard’s present knee points by postulating whether or not he might be sidelined for almost all of the common season. He cited Leonard’s restoration between April and September as being just like that of a full 82-game season.
“The most recent knee concern that first popped up for Leonard in early April remains to be an element nearly six months later,” Murray wrote. “Do some fundamental math: Six months from now, the common season shall be winding down. Will this be an element all 12 months?”
Following the departure of Paul George this summer season, who left Los Angeles to hitch the Philadelphia 76ers in free company, Leonard’s availability will possible make or break the Clippers’ possibilities of contending within the Western Convention subsequent season. When wholesome, he is the most effective two-way wings within the NBA and remains to be able to main a contending workforce on either side of the ground.
It is unlikely that Leonard shall be prepared by the point the brand new NBA season will get underway. Nevertheless, if he can stay wholesome and accessible as soon as returning to the rotation, the Clippers can nonetheless have a robust season. Nonetheless, judging by the size of time he is been coping with his newest knee ailment, there is not a lot motive for optimism from Clippers followers, particularly with the brand new season quickly approaching and a scarcity of wholesome star expertise on the roster.
