Kawhi Leonard (proper knee irritation) questionable for Sport 1 vs. Mavs – NBA.com

Kawhi Leonard had but to do on-court work as of Thursday, leaving his standing for the Clippers' playoff opener doubtful.
The Related Press
Kawhi Leonard’s standing for the opening spherical of the playoffs is unsure.
• Download the NBA App
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard has been combating “very, very cussed irritation” in his surgically repaired proper knee for practically three weeks and he’ll be listed as questionable for the Los Angeles Clippers’ playoff opener in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.
The fourth-seeded Clippers host Luka Doncic and the fifth-seeded Mavs on Sunday.
“Progress has been made however the irritation must proceed to scale back so he can do useful basketball actions,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, mentioned Thursday. “We’re hopeful he’s going to get there.”
Leonard missed the ultimate eight video games of the common season and hasn’t performed since March 31.
He had an injection in his knee earlier this month, The Athletic reported Thursday, citing unspecified league sources.
“We don’t touch upon any particular therapies,” Frank mentioned. “He’s doing the whole lot he can and we’re doing the whole lot we will medically.”
Leonard has participated in movie periods and opinions of the Mavs’ personnel, however he hasn’t been in a position to have any contact on the courtroom, Frank mentioned.
The Clippers despatched Frank to talk with reporters a day after coach Tyronn Lue apologized for getting visibly annoyed Wednesday by repeated questions on Leonard, who hasn’t been made accessible to media.
“I’m attempting to be as clear as doable,” Frank mentioned. “It’s simply very unpredictable. If issues proceed to get higher and higher, there’s an opportunity (he’ll play).”
Leonard had his healthiest common season but in 4 years with the Clippers, enjoying in 68 video games. The All-Star ahead averaged 23.7 factors, 6.1 rebounds and three.6 assists.
“This man lives for these moments. He prepares himself to be his finest when his finest is required,” Frank mentioned. “If he’s not wholesome to play at a sure second, he received’t be on the market. When Kawhi is wholesome, he performs.”
Frank mentioned Leonard’s present irritation is unrelated to his earlier medical points with the identical knee.
Final season, Leonard performed within the first recreation of the playoffs in opposition to the Phoenix Suns earlier than lacking the ultimate three video games with a torn meniscus in his proper knee.
Within the 2021 playoffs, Leonard sprained his knee in opposition to Utah within the Western Convention semifinals. The Clippers beat the Jazz and superior to the Convention finals for the primary time, shedding to Phoenix in six video games.
He then missed the entire 2021-22 season after recovering from a partial tear of the ACL in his proper knee.
In January, Leonard signed a contract extension with the Clippers that can pay him $153 million over the subsequent three years.
The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Event is from April 16-19. The primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs Introduced by Google Pixel start on April 20.
In a collection that includes a mixed 47 All-Star nods, Dallas' high-octane offense presents a stiff take a look at for LA.
Leonard hasn’t performed in a recreation since March 31 due to irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.
The officers on the playoff roster common 16.2 years of NBA expertise, with 28 having 10 or extra years of expertise.
The 2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Event is from April 16-19. The primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs Introduced by Google Pixel start on April 20.
In a collection that includes a mixed 47 All-Star nods, Dallas' high-octane offense presents a stiff take a look at for LA.
Leonard hasn’t performed in a recreation since March 31 due to irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.
The officers on the playoff roster common 16.2 years of NBA expertise, with 28 having 10 or extra years of expertise.
FantasyPros breaks down the highest DraftKings and FanDuel day by day fantasy gamers for the Play-In Event video games on Friday.
Prepare for the playoffs with the largest storylines and key issues to look at in each collection.
The sport averaged 3,403,000 viewers and viewership was up 52% from final yr's 7-8 recreation.
The Warriors star is No. 1 amongst gamers whereas the Lakers lead the league in crew merchandise.
The ultimate 2 spots within the 2024 NBA Playoffs shall be secured tonight as soon as Bulls-Warmth and Kings-Pelicans wrap up.
The finalists for 7 awards — together with Kia MVP, Kia Rookie of the Yr and extra — shall be introduced on TNT.

source