Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (knee) dominated out for Recreation 4 vs. Mavs – NBA.com

The Clippers' star is coping with proper knee irritation that sidelined him for the ultimate 8 video games of the common season and Recreation 1.
Michael C. Wright
Kawhi Leonard’s minutes have been restricted in Recreation 3 vs. Mavs attributable to damage.
• Download the NBA App
DALLAS – The LA Clippers dominated out star ahead Kawhi Leonard for Recreation 4 of their first-round series in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks attributable to proper knee irritation.
LA held off a livid Mavericks’ rally within the closing minutes, winning 116-111 to even the sequence at 2-2. The groups play Game 5 on Wednesday (10 ET, TNT).
Clippers workforce president Lawrence Frank introduced the information Sunday roughly two hours earlier than tipoff and declined to offer a timeline for Leonard’s potential return. The 32-year-old had been coping with irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.
“It was clear that he was not himself in Recreation 3,” Frank mentioned.
Leonard sat out of the sequence opener, earlier than returning for Game 2 to play 35 minutes within the Clippers’ 96-93 loss to the Mavericks. The 2-time Finals MVP missed LA’s final eight common season video games and Recreation 1 of the postseason to quell the swelling.
Leonard performed 25 minutes within the Clippers’ Game 3 loss, scoring 9 factors with 9 rebounds. Nevertheless it was clear the six-time All-Star hadn’t fairly returned to the shape that allowed him to play essentially the most regular-season video games in his profession since 2016-17.
“It’s undoubtedly devastating for Kawhi; all of the work he’s put on this 12 months, the quantity of video games he’s performed,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned. “[He] labored laborious to get so far, to a spot he desires to be within the playoffs. Then, to be damage and never have the ability to be 100% and play the way in which he’s able to taking part in could be very irritating for him. I really feel unhealthy for him.”
Leonard suffered a torn ACL within the 2021 Westen Convention Semifinals and sat out the entire 2021-22 campaign rehabbing earlier than returning for the 2022-23 season. Leonard ended up tearing his meniscus within the first spherical of the playoffs final 12 months in opposition to the Phoenix Suns. The damage compelled him out of the ultimate three video games of that sequence.
“We’ve performed with out Kawhi earlier than,” Lue mentioned. “So, we are able to’t hold our heads. We perceive what it takes, what we’ve to do, how we have to play, the blueprint. I simply thank Kawhi for making an attempt to get on the market and making an attempt to do what he can. This workforce is ready whether or not Kawhi performs or [doesn’t] play. We’re up for the problem.”
Amir Coffey began in Leonard’s place for Recreation 4, ending with 4 factors and three rebounds in 24 minutes.
“We’ve confidence we are able to win the sequence,” Lue mentioned. “We’ve ready for each conditions, [for] if Kawhi’s on the ground or if he’s not on the ground.  I do know we’ve bought lots of people doubting the state of affairs. However we be ok with what we’ve achieved. We’re ready.”
* * *
Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You’ll be able to e-mail him here, discover his archive here and observe him on X.
The views on this web page don’t essentially replicate the views of the NBA, its golf equipment or Warner Bros. Discovery
Kawhi Leonard missed the Clippers' sequence opener in opposition to the Mavericks on Sunday attributable to knee irritation. LA received anyway.
Leonard missed the ultimate 8 video games of the common season and Sunday's Recreation 1 win over Dallas with irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.
Luka Doncic steps up down the stretch to energy Dallas' 96-93 win that spoiled Kawhi Leonard's return to the lineup.
The Mavs' bigs do harm on each ends vs. LA, Kyrie Irving delivers within the 2nd half once more and Dallas protects house court docket.
Kawhi Leonard missed the Clippers' sequence opener in opposition to the Mavericks on Sunday attributable to knee irritation. LA received anyway.
Leonard missed the ultimate 8 video games of the common season and Sunday's Recreation 1 win over Dallas with irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.
Luka Doncic steps up down the stretch to energy Dallas' 96-93 win that spoiled Kawhi Leonard's return to the lineup.
The Mavs' bigs do harm on each ends vs. LA, Kyrie Irving delivers within the 2nd half once more and Dallas protects house court docket.
Citing the workforce, information shops report Timberwolves coach Finch has a ruptured proper patellar tendon after an in-game collision.
All of Indiana's key gamers contribute on an evening Milwaukee misses too a lot of their very own. Now the Bucks face elimination.
James Harden steps up, Dallas can't fairly catch up and issues are wanting up for LA with the sequence now tied at 2-2.
Milwaukee already was taking part in with out the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard when Portis was ejected.
New York constructs Jalen Brunson's historic night time, owns the glass and places Philadelphia on the point of elimination.
Beneath Mark Daigneault's management, Oklahoma Metropolis turned the youngest workforce to complete 1st in both convention.

source