The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Leonard's postseason status still uncertain
Kawhi Leonard was ruled out of his eighth consecutive game Sunday — a 116-105 loss to the Houston Rockets in the regular-season finale — with what the team is calling inflammation in his right knee. It is the answer that has been given for two weeks with no added explanation.
And now, with the playoffs looming in less than a week, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue provided little clarity about their biggest star’s availability for the first round that will start either Saturday or Sunday.
How much has Kawhi been working out and will he be playing in the playoffs when they start?
Lue said simply, “He’s not playing today.”
OK. What about his workouts? Has he been working out any at all?
“Yeah, he’s been doing a little something.”
The Clippers open the first round against the Dallas Mavericks, giving Leonard less than a week to get back into game shape. Although the team has found a way to win without Leonard, going 5-4 in his absence.
So, you expect him to play in the playoffs?
“I didn’t say anything.” And therein lies the problem. The Clippers’ lack of transparency with Leonard dates to 2021 when the twotime Finals MVP went down in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals with what
the team described as a knee sprain.
It turned out that Leonard had a torn ACL that later needed to be surgically repaired, costing him the 202122 season.
The Clippers offered a similar response last season when Leonard suffered another knee injury in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns that the team downplayed in their press conferences and releases. Days later, it was revealed that Leonard had torn his right meniscus.
So, what are you telling reporters?
“I ain’t telling you nothing. He’s not playing tonight and then we’ll see,” Lue said.
With their playoff opponent set and home-court advantage secured, Lue rested several players for the regular-season finale that ended in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
Paul George, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook Ivica Zubac and Bones Hyland were on the bench. Kai Jones, an athletic big man who the Clippers officially signed Sunday, took a seat on the bench.
That left the reserves to close out the franchise’s last regular-season game at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers will move into their new home, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, after 25 seasons in downtown Los Angeles.
Terance Mann, the only regular starter to play, scored a game-high 24 points and had six rebounds, while Amir Coffey added 18 points.
The Rockets were led by Cam Whitmore, who scored 21 points.