For the fourth year in a row, Kawhi Leonard has been unable to stay healthy during the NBA Playoffs, leading the Clippers to underachieve once again. The uncertainty of Leonard’s availability each year has been a recurring theme, and this year was no different. As the season officially ended for the Clippers, Lawrence Frank, the team’s President of Basketball Operations, provided some insight into Leonard’s injury. It was revealed that if a game had taken place that day due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee, Leonard would not have been able to play in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
During an exit interview, Frank acknowledged that Leonard would have been sidelined if a game had taken place that day despite his history of knee surgeries. Despite their efforts to preserve Leonard’s health through load management and playing him in more regular-season games, the Clippers have had little success. This season was particularly disappointing as Leonard’s absence seemed to greatly affect the team’s performance.
Frank emphasized the importance of having a player of Leonard’s caliber on the court and acknowledged his impact on the team’s success. Looking ahead to next season, the Clippers are aiming to retain their core trio of players but understand the need for improvement in other areas as well. However, no matter how much they enhance their roster, the Clippers know that their playoff aspirations hinge on Leonard’s availability and ability to stay healthy.
