Kawhi Leonard to miss start of NBA season due to injury
Feb 26, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi Leonard has been recovering from another knee injury over the past several months, and the Los Angeles Clippers star is not going to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season.
Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely to begin the regular season due to inflammation in his right knee, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Ohm Youngmisuk reported on Thursday.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for indefinite period of time to start the NBA season as he rehabilitates the inflammation in his right knee, league sources tell me and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/M5wFYIWGiv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024
Leonard has dealt with numerous knee issues in recent years. He had one of his healthiest regular seasons in quite some time last year when he played in 68 games, but another knee ailment sideline him for all but two games in the Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.
The 33-year-old Leonard then planned to play for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, but he had to leave the team because of the knee injury. A recent report then revealed that Leonard underwent another surgical procedure.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue expressed optimism about Leonard’s health in August. The latest update raises questions about whether Leonard will ever be at 100% strength this year, however.
The Clippers will host the Phoenix Suns in their season-opener at the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., on Oct. 23.