Kawhi Leonard will not participate in the Los Angeles Clippers’ season opener due to ongoing rehabilitation for inflammation in his right knee, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. According to sources, Leonard is expected to be sidelined for an unspecified duration at the beginning of the NBA season. He has not played in the preseason, concluding Thursday night against Sacramento, and has not engaged in on-court contact during training camp.
The Clippers have not yet commented on the situation. At the beginning of training camp, Leonard expressed optimism about being in the starting lineup for the opening night, contingent on his knee’s condition. “I never plan to miss games, but it’s just about my body,” he stated last month, emphasizing the human aspect of his situation.
Leonard is focusing on stabilizing his knee for potential playoff readiness, having missed the last eight games of the previous season and being limited to just two games during a first-round playoff loss to Dallas. He expressed hope for solutions to extend his playing longevity, stating, “There’s some stuff we can do or try to do to make me last.”
Last season, Leonard played a total of 68 regular-season games, the most he has managed in a single season with the Clippers, before missing the final stretch due to his knee issues. The 33-year-old experienced inflammation in his surgically repaired knee beginning March 31.
In January, he signed a three-year contract extension worth $52 million, but his ongoing health issues have impacted his postseason participation over the past four years.
Leonard also opted not to compete in the Paris Olympics, choosing instead to focus on preparing for the new NBA season, a decision supported by the Clippers. He had been practicing with the U.S. team before being replaced by Celtics guard Derrick White, while the U.S. ultimately secured a gold medal.
Since joining the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has missed 179 out of 435 games, including the entire 2021-22 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. The Clippers are set to start their season on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns in their new Inglewood arena.