Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is “progressing well” in his recovery from the right knee issue that has sidelined him this fall and postponed his season debut, head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters on Friday (Twitter video link via Law Murray of The Athletic).
“He’s been able to get on the court and do some things on the court, which is good for us,” Lue said. “Just still checking every box, making sure he’s doing the right things and his workouts are really good. Making sure we don’t let it get to the next step until he checks those boxes. Our medical staff has done a great job with that, making sure that we make sure he’s 100% when he comes back.”
Following Paul George‘s departure in free agency and without Leonard available to open the season, the Clippers weren’t viewed as a serious contender in the Western Conference entering this season.
However, they’ve held their own in Kawhi’s absence, posting a 12-9 record through the first quarter of the season, good for eighth in a competitive Western Conference. Lue said on Friday that Leonard is “very excited” about what he’s seen from the team so far and is looking forward to helping out when he returns. Still, there’s no set timeline for when that will happen.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- When they replaced D’Angelo Russell with Cam Reddish in their starting lineup earlier this season, the Lakers were making an effort to solidify their defense. Their most recent lineup tweak – elevating rookie Dalton Knecht and moving Reddish back to the second unit – suggests they’re leaning more into their greatest strength, their offensive firepower, says Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. Before being held to a season-low 93 points on Friday against the NBA’s No. 1 defense (Oklahoma City), the Lakers had the league’s fourth-best offensive rating (116.3).
- James Ham of The Kings Beat takes a closer look at what newly added forward Jae Crowder brings to the table for the Kings, pointing out that the 34-year-old is the kind of defensive-minded veteran that head coach Mike Brown likes to rely on. Crowder figures to move from the starting five to the bench once DeMar DeRozan is healthy, but he’ll likely still get regular minutes, Ham writes.
- Suns guard Bradley Beal appears to have avoided a major setback after exiting Wednesday’s game early due to calf and ankle soreness. As Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter links) relays, Beal (left calf injury management) and Jusuf Nurkic (right quad contusion) are both officially listed as questionable for Saturday’s game vs. Golden State, though head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters on Friday that he viewed them as probable to play.
Some days I forget Kawhi is still even in the league lol.
Whenever I see his name in trade rumors I know its a click bait article. Why would anyone want a guy who is injured all the time.
Ask the Brooklyn Nets
They learned their lesson.
6x All star
2x FMVP
7x all-defensive
2x DPOY
was on the All-NBA second team last year
>
injured “all the time” (he played 68 games of 34.3 MPG last year)
I swear yall just make stuff up all the time to badmouth anyone. The numbers dont lie!
davey you complained about thompson for the same reason all his injuries and getting older. Klay is 1 year older than leonard and you saw how health and injuries did a toll on him. the older you get the harder it is to respond back from injuries.
Unless you are a 40 year LeBron.
He has missed 179 of a possible 435 games since joining the Clippers in 2019. That’s two full seasons two full seasons.if you want to hook up with him, ask him go through his uncle. I’m sure it will cost you some money, but I think he’ll do it.
You definitely don’t want to do the numbers don’t lie thing here. 57, 52, 52 games in the three years prior and mostly useless in the playoffs. For a time he was the second best player in the league – now he sucks the life out of whatever he touches.
2 x FMVP but “mostly useless in the playoffs”? You dont know ball.
He is injured at the most important times. He missed the last 4 games of the 1st round series. Perspective matters Babey J.
He’ll be back by the all-star game, then come playoff time he won’t be available due to being soft.
If he comes back and has a great season, the Clippers should trade him for a late second round pick.