Kawhi Leonard injury update: Clippers star expects to play season opener
Forward Kawhi Leonard’s health will be important to the Los Angeles Clippers’ success this season, but he will be questionable before the season gets underway.
He returns as the organization's primary superstar on a roster that won’t include Paul George and Russell Westbrook, who are now with different teams.
Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million deal in January to remain with the Clippers but will take things “day-by-day” after reports of him recently undergoing a knee procedure to address swelling.
The veteran forward remains positive, having viewed the 2023-24 season as a “good year” after managing to play more games than he has in recent years.
Leonard played in 68 games, the most he has played since playing a career-high 74 games during the 2016-17 season. He views the number of games as a sign of progress after being limited to 52 games throughout the 2022-23 season. He had missed the 2021-22 season due to an ACL injury.
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"We just have to go step-by-step and make sure he is checking all the boxes," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters last week. "The medical staff is going to tell us when he is ready to do everything and what he can do."
Kawhi Leonard injury update, status
Leonard consistently told reporters during media day that he hopes to remain healthy enough to have a run in the playoffs.
“I’m happy that I’m feeling good,” Leonard said. “It’s feeling a lot better than it was. We are taking it one day at a time and one step at a time and hopefully, I can get through the playoffs this year.”
Leonard played in just two postseason games in each of the last two seasons.
He expects to play the season opener against the Phoenix Suns at the Intuit Dome on Oct. 23.
“That’s the plan,” Leonard said. “I never plan to miss games. … It all depends on how my body is feeling, but I think it’s a positive thing to think I will play, but we are taking it day-by-day.”
Guard James Harden expressed his excitement to play again with Leonard this season but is willing to wait however long it takes this season for Leonard to be playing fully healthy.
“I think Kawhi needs to take his time,” Harden said. “I think we need Kawhi later in the year and healthy so whenever (Kawhi) is ready.”
Leonard is expected to travel with the team to Hawaii for training camp.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kawhi Leonard expects to play Clippers' opener: Injury update
