Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been sent home from the team’s road trip due to left knee irritation.
Leonard is being taken off the road for treatment on his knee and will be evaluated on Wednesday when the Clippers return to LA. Leonard is having a great year despite the team’s struggles, currently sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference with an 18-23 record. In 30 games this season, Leonard is averaging a career high 28.2 points per game while leading the league in steals (2.2 per game) and free throw percentage (94.1).
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Although it’s been a rough start to the season, since Dec. 20 the Clippers are 12-2 and appear to be turning the ship around. During the last 14 games, the Clippers have beaten the Lakers, Rockets, Pistons twice, Warriors, and Raptors. Leonard was a huge contributor over the past 14 games, leading the team in scoring in all but three of those games, and he didn’t suit up for the win over Toronto on Friday.
The Clippers have been hot lately due largely to Leonard’s play, and now he’s out again, dealing with a knee injury. LA is turning the season around at the right time, and now their star player will miss at least the last two games of this short road trip. The Clippers will conclude this three-game road trip with games against the Washington Wizards on Monday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
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Knee irritation might not be a big deal for some players, but with Leonard’s history of knee and leg issues throughout his career, there is cause for concern anytime his knees are mentioned. Due to winning 12 of their last 14 games, the Clippers have climbed out of the dungeon in the west, but they are still barely hanging on to a play-in spot with a half-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies in 10th place. The longer Leonard is absent, the more it’s likely to hurt their season an undo all the improvements over the past month.
