Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers will miss the start of the regular season and is currently out indefinitely due to inflammation in his right knee, according to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania and Ohm Youngmisuk. Leonard will continue his rehabilitation program during this time.
During practice on Wednesday, Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw refrained from providing updates on Leonard’s status, stating, “That’s not a question for me.” He acknowledged Leonard’s absence from daily practices and noted that management is being patient with his recovery. Shaw confirmed that Leonard is working to strengthen his knee with medical staff support while the team focuses on the players present.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue informed reporters earlier this week that Leonard would not play in Thursday’s preseason finale and expressed uncertainty about his availability for the season opener. Lue emphasized the importance of Leonard’s rehabilitation and monitoring his progress.
Team president Lawrence Frank previously stated that the timeline for Leonard’s return depends on how his knee responds to rehabilitation. He mentioned that swelling in Leonard’s knee had almost subsided and that the six-time All-Star was eager to participate in training camp. However, the team aimed to prioritize Leonard’s long-term health by focusing on strengthening his knee rather than rushing him into drills.
Frank highlighted the importance of avoiding similar situations to the previous season when Leonard played 68 of 74 games but missed the last eight due to knee issues. In contrast to that experience, the team wants to approach this situation with caution and ensure Leonard remains in good health throughout the season.
Recent reports indicated that Leonard underwent a procedure on his knee in May. After participating in USA Basketball’s pre-Olympic training camp in July, he was replaced by Derrick White.
Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season due to an ACL tear and suffered a meniscus tear during the 2023 playoffs, had a strong previous season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. While optimism was growing about his potential for a healthy full season, the Clippers now face the challenge of filling his significant absence, especially following Paul George’s departure in free agency. Derrick Jones Jr. and Terance Mann are expected to take on tough defensive roles, while James Harden and Norman Powell will need to step up offensively.