Kawhi Leonard, the star player of the Los Angeles Clippers, was forced to sit out Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee inflammation. The decision was made by the organization, with Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank announcing that Leonard’s surgically repaired knee was causing him pain and discomfort. Although he had previously missed eight games in the regular season and Game 1 of the series before returning for Games 2 and 3, this latest setback has sidelined him once again.
Frank expressed uncertainty about when Leonard would be able to return, emphasizing that his full range of movement needed to be restored before considering a comeback. Despite his absence, the Mavericks managed to secure a 2-1 lead in the series after winning both games that Leonard played in. Frank described the situation as “tricky” and acknowledged that Leonard might be out for more than just this series, highlighting the need for him to demonstrate his full range of movement before being cleared to play.
The Clippers are now focused on trying to overcome the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs before contemplating any further challenges that may lie ahead. Despite their ongoing concerns over Leonard’s injury status, they remain optimistic about their chances of making it through this round and beyond.
