Report: Kawhi Leonard to miss start of season to rehabilitate right knee

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Kawhi Leonard gained’t play for the LA Clippers to begin the season due to ongoing rehabilitation from irritation in his proper knee, per a report. 

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is predicted to be sidelined for indefinite time period to begin the NBA season as he rehabilitates the irritation in his proper knee, league sources inform me and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/M5wFYIWGiv

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024

Citing unidentified sources, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Leonard might be sidelined indefinitely. He hasn’t performed through the preseason, which concludes Thursday evening at house in opposition to Sacramento. The 2-time Finals MVP additionally hasn’t been concerned in on-court contact throughout coaching camp.

The Clippers didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue instructed reporters Thursday after the staff’s 113-91 preseason win in opposition to the Sacramento Kings that he doesn’t anticipate Lue to overlook the upcoming season. He additionally added the staff has “no timetable” for when he’ll play in a sport.

“I don’t see these possibilities, however I’m not a physician, both,” Lue mentioned. “However I don’t see these possibilities.

“Like we mentioned from Day 1, it’s going to take a while,” Lue mentioned. “He’s going to progress. He’s doing all the fitting issues. He’s working onerous and he’s wanting good. So, there’s no timetable, or nothing like that. Nothing has modified from Day 1. Nonetheless working to get him to the place we’re making an attempt to get him to.

“And, so, till he’s 100% and he’s in a position to go and we have now no issues about him doing something completely different, then we simply obtained to proceed to observe the trail we’ve been on.”

Tyronn Lue expects injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to finally play this season https://t.co/H0kTk1SXvE

— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) October 18, 2024

Leonard had mentioned at first of coaching camp that he can be within the beginning lineup on opening evening if his knee cooperated.

“I by no means plan to overlook video games, however it’s nearly my physique,” he mentioned late final month. “I’m a human being and we’re enjoying basketball.”

Leonard has been working to stabilize his knee to the purpose the place he can be obtainable for potential postseason play. He missed the ultimate eight video games of final season and was restricted to 2 video games in a first-round loss to Dallas within the playoffs.

“There’s some stuff we will do or attempt to do to make me final,” Leonard mentioned final month. “We’ll see what occurs.”

Leonard performed 68 video games through the common season, his most as a Clipper, earlier than lacking the ultimate eight due to his knee. The 33-year-old first skilled irritation in his surgically repaired knee on March 31.

He signed a three-year extension value $52 million in January. However his well being has restricted his postseason availability for 4 straight years.

Leonard didn’t play for the U.S. on the Paris Olympics, getting changed on the staff in mid-July. USA Basketball concluded that it was in his finest curiosity to concentrate on getting ready for the upcoming NBA season, though the Clippers later mentioned that they had no drawback with him enjoying in Paris. Leonard had been working towards with the U.S. staff in Las Vegas when he was changed by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. The U.S. went on to win the gold medal.

Leonard sat out the complete 2021-22 season with a torn ACL in his proper knee. He has missed 179 of a attainable 435 video games since becoming a member of the Clippers in 2019.

The Clippers open the season on Oct. 23 in opposition to Phoenix of their new enviornment in Inglewood.

Data from The Related Press was used on this report.