Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard was removed from the team’s road trip due to left knee irritation.
Leonard was taken off the road for treatment on his knee and will be evaluated Wednesday when the Clippers return to Los Angeles. Leonard is having a great year despite the team’s struggles, currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with an 18-23 record. In 30 games this season, Leonard is averaging a career-high 28.2 points per game while leading the league in steals (2.2 per game) and free throw percentage (94.1).
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Even though the start of the season was difficult, since December 20, the Clippers are 12-2 and seem to be turning things around. In the last 14 games, the Clippers have beaten the Lakers, Rockets, Pistons, Warriors and Raptors twice. Leonard has been a huge contributor over the last 14 games, leading the team in goals in all but three of those games, and he didn’t play in the win over Toronto on Friday.
The Clippers have been hot lately in large part because of Leonard’s play, and now he’s out again, dealing with a knee injury. LA returns the season at the right time, and now its star player will miss at least the last two games of this short road trip. The Clippers will conclude this three-game road trip with games against the Washington Wizards on Monday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
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Knee irritation may not be a big deal for some players, but with Leonard’s history of knee and leg issues throughout his career, there is cause for concern whenever his knees are mentioned. After winning 12 of their last 14 games, the Clippers are out of the West Dungeon, but they are still barely clinging to a play-in spot with a half-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies in 10th place. The longer Leonard is out, the more likely it will hurt their season and undo all the improvements from the last month.
