Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard will not be playing in Sunday’s playoff Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks due to knee inflammation. The news was announced by head coach Tyronn Lue just hours before the game, with Leonard having been sidelined since March 31. Leonard’s absence has caused uncertainty about his status for Game 2 and beyond, as The Athletic reported he received an injection in his knee earlier in April in hopes of playing in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite this setback, the Clippers will have to adjust their game plan without Leonard, who played 68 games this season and was instrumental in helping the team secure a fourth-place finish in the West at 51-31. When healthy, Leonard is known for his dynamic offensive skills and elite defensive capabilities, making him a key player for the Clippers. However, injuries have been a persistent issue for Leonard throughout his career, limiting his availability and affecting his performance since joining the Clippers in 2019.
President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank had expressed hope that Leonard would be able to play on Sunday, but said that the inflammation needed to continue to reduce for him to perform basketball movements. Frank acknowledged that Leonard’s absence is a significant blow to the Clippers and that they will need to find ways to compensate for his loss. The team will have to come up with a new game plan without him as they face a tough challenge against the Mavericks.
