LA Clippers Rule Out Kawhi Leonard for Sport 1 vs. Dallas Mavericks – Sports activities Illustrated

© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
LA Clippers celebrity Kawhi Leonard has been downgraded to out for Sport 1 in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.
LOS ANGELES — Within the week main into Sunday’s Sport 1, the highest storyline surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers getting into their first-round playoff sequence involving the Dallas Mavericks was Kawhi Leonard’s damage standing.
Leonard was listed as questionable to play in opposition to the Mavericks resulting from proper knee irritation however was downgraded to out for Sport 1. It was the identical damage that sidelined him for the season’s last eight video games.
Dec 20, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball as Dallas
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After not taking part in any contact parts of practices earlier than Sunday, there was a pure doubt surrounding Leonard’s potential availability to return to competitors for the postseason opener.
“It is robust for him, however he is getting higher. He is progressing,” Lue stated. “He is been on the courtroom the final couple of days. We’ll see. However he is annoyed, as he must be, to place under consideration work he did this yr.
“To play as many video games as he did, do what he did this yr, after which, now, lacking sport one of many playoffs, it is robust on him, however we obtained his again 100%,” Lue continued. “We’re able to go.”
It stays to be seen when Leonard will attain the return to competitors course of stage to take contact in observe. Los Angeles emphasised how the group is taking it “day-to-day” with Leonard’s restoration course of.
“We’ve not gotten that far but,” Lue stated.
Given the seemingly reducing chance of Leonard enjoying, the Mavericks ready for both chance.
“I feel we ready as if he was going to play till he was dominated out only recently,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd stated. “We additionally ready if he was going to be out. So, we ready on each ends if he was going to play.”
The Clippers stay assured of their outlook to compete regardless of having to deploy Amir Coffey as a starter as a substitute of Leonard for Sport 1. The early-season acquisition of James Harden considerably components into the scenario since he can tackle extra accountability as a focus offensively with out Leonard.
“It is big for us. Previously, we struggled to win video games with Kawhi off the ground,” Lue stated. “Buying James actually helped, after which simply seeing like down the stretch these final eight video games, we did not end the final three as a result of our guys did not play.”
Leonard averaged 23.7 factors, 6.1 rebounds, and three.6 assists in 68 regular-season video games. He shot 52.5% from the ground, 41.7% from past the arc, and 88.5% from the free-throw line. It was his first season enjoying over 60 video games as a member of the Clippers.

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