Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Expected to return Sunday
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Leonard (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hornets, but he's expected to return Sunday against the Cavaliers, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Leonard hasn't played since Nov. 3 due to a sprained right foot and ankle, but he returned to practice this week and appears to have responded well to the increased work. The veteran superstar will almost certainly be limited and have his minutes monitored closely, but this is huge news for a Clippers squad that has struggled mightily to start the campaign. In six games this season, Leonard has averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals in 33.5 minutes per contest.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Ruled out for Saturday
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Leonard (ankle) won't play in Saturday's game against the Hornets, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports.
Leonard was a partial practice participant Thursday, but it doesn't sound like the Clippers have cleared him for contact. The star forward remains out indefinitely with an ankle sprain. In the interim, Nicolas Batum and Kobe Sanders should have a boost in streaming appeal.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Limited participant in practice
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Leonard (ankle) hasn't yet been cleared for contact in practice but has been a limited participant, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Leonard has missed his team's last nine matchups while dealing with a sprained right foot and ankle. This update offers a bit of insight into where he's at in his rehab, though the team is not yet ready to report on when he may be cleared for a game. "He did a few things," said head coach Tyronn Lue, per Law Murray of The Athletic. "He's definitely gotten better. I mean, I don't know how long it's gonna be. But he's definitely gotten better. Just seeing him on the floor yesterday was really good to see."
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Still sidelined
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Leonard (foot/ankle) won't play in Thursday's game against Orlando, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard will miss a ninth consecutive game due to a sprained right foot and sprained right ankle. The star forward's next chance to play will come Saturday against Charlotte, though it's unclear if he's nearing a return. While he's been sidelined, Nicolas Batum and Kobe Sanders have stepped into larger roles.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Another absence coming
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Leonard (ankle) is out for Monday's game against the 76ers, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports.
Leonard was not expected to play in this game, so this isn't a big surprise. Leonard last played on Nov. 3, but he remains without a timetable to return as he nurses injuries to his right foot and ankle. For now, he can be considered highly questionable for Thursday's game against the Magic.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Nursing both foot and ankle sprains
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Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Wednesday that Leonard is recovering from a right foot sprain in addition to the sprained right ankle he sustained in a Nov. 3 loss to the Heat, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports. "With Kawhi, it wasn't just an ankle sprain," Frank said. "He also had a significant sprain in his foot, as well. When he sprained his ankle, it kind of triggered a mechanism in his foot."
Leonard has previously struggled to stay on the court after undergoing three surgeries on his right knee between 2021 and 2024, but it's the 34-year-old's right foot/ankle that has kept him out for the last five games and looks set to sideline him for additional contests. On a positive note, Frank said that Leonard is "making really good progress" in his recovery, and the Clippers hope to have a "better feel next week" for when the six-time All-Star might be ready to play again. Leonard plans to travel with the Clippers for their six-game road swing that begins Friday in Dallas, but based on Frank's comments, he appears unlikely to be available for at least the first two games of that trip.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: To miss at least three games
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Head coach Tyronn Lue said Saturday that Leonard will miss "the next few games" due to a sprained right ankle, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports.
Leonard is expected to miss at least three more games due to the ankle injury he sustained in Monday's loss to the Heat. On a positive note, Lue added that the team doesn't view Leonard's injury as a serious ailment, according to Russo. The star forward could join the Clippers on their next road trip, which starts Friday against the Mavericks. Meanwhile, Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic are candidates for increased minutes.
Leonard (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Suns, Janis Carr of the Southern California News Group reports.
Leonard will miss a third straight game due to an ankle sprain. The team will likely continue to rely on Nicolas Batum in the starting lineup, with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cam Christie receiving more time off the bench.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Remains out
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Leonard (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Suns, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Leonard will miss a second straight game due to an ankle issue. The superstar forward continues to be load-managed, with the team likely turning to Nicolas Batum and Bogdan Bogdanovic to fill the void.
Leonard (rest/ankle) won't play Tuesday against the Thunder, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports.
Tuesday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so this isn't a big surprise. Leonard was a candidate to get a maintenance day, and the fact that he had a mild ankle tweak Monday made this decision straightforward for the Clippers. In Leonard's absence, the Clippers could rely on guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn and John Collins to step up.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Status uncertain for Tuesday
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The team has yet to decided whether Leonard will play in the second half of a back-to-back Tuesday against the Thunder due to injury management, independent NBA writer Justin Russo reports. He collected 27 points (10-21 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks in 37 minutes during Monday's 120-119 loss to the Heat.
Leonard took on a heavy workload Monday night, and with the star forward yet to play both legs of a back-to-back this year, the club will likely evaluate him Tuesday morning before commenting further on his availability. Coach Tyronn Lue also noted in his postgame presser that he was unsure of Bradley Beal's availability, meaning the Clippers could be short-handed if a decision is made to sit both players down, likely opening up opportunity for Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn and John Collins.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Strikes for game-high 34 on Friday
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Leonard closed with 34 points (11-16 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, five assists and six steals in 36 minutes during Friday's 126-124 win over the Pelicans.
The 34 points led all scorers on the night and were a season high for Leonard. The 34-year-old has stayed healthy to begin the season, averaging 32.8 minutes while starting all five of the Clippers' games. If he's distracted by all the off-court controversy surrounding him, he isn't letting it show, producing 23.8 points, 6.0 boards, 3.4 assists, 2.4 threes, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks a contest. Leonard also said that he plans on playing both halves of the Clippers' upcoming back-to-back set.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Double-doubles in win over Portland
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Leonard produced 30 points (11-21 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals across 35 minutes during Sunday's 114-107 win over Portland.
After a lackluster season opener, Leonard has caught fire over the past two games, scoring voluminously and efficiently while bringing a little bit of everything to the box score. Unfortunately, the Clippers only have two games in Week 2, so managers may want to consider leaving Leonard on their benches in weekly settings, despite his solid production as of late.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Dazzles with 27 points in blowout
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Leonard closed with 27 points (11-21 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Friday's 129-102 victory over the Suns.
Leonard and James Harden dominated the scoreboard in a decisive wiping of the Suns. Leonard recorded numbers in every major statistical category and looked like his old self with no signs of injury. Following Monday and Tuesday will be intriguing, as we'll see what the Clippers do with Leonard in their first back-to-back. A decision to keep him on the floor will be a great first sign of a supreme season for the All-Star.
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