Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who made his season debut on January 4 after spending most of the first half working his way back from an offseason knee procedure, has yet to play more than 21 minutes in any of his first three outings this season.
As Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints writes, head coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers haven’t confirmed exactly what Leonard’s minutes restriction is or when it might be lifted. But the two-time Finals MVP isn’t in any rush to get out from under that restriction, telling reporters on Monday night that he doesn’t want to risk a setback by rushing the process.
“No, I’m taking my time,” Leonard said when asked if he’s anxious to play more. “I’ve done that in the past and it led to me on the bench, I’m good where I’m at.”
The Clippers and Leonard have said they’re treating this stretch of games as if it’s the preseason for the star forward, Azarly notes. That means that in addition to being on a strict minutes limit, Leonard isn’t playing at all in clutch time. He has yet to log a single minute in the fourth quarter of any of his first three games back.
The six-time All-Star also hasn’t looked like his usual self, averaging just 8.7 points per game on 32.3% shooting so far.
“He’s looked better in practice than (in the game),” Lue said, per Azarly. “I think in the game, he’s just trying to feel his way through I think when you come from off such a long layoff. I’ve been a product of that, having surgery, coming off a long layoff, you just want to make sure you can play and that you’re comfortable, that you don’t feel it. I think that’s what he’s been doing the last couple games. He’s got to just get to a point where he trusts it, where he can go all out without having to think about it, and it’s going to take a little time.”
The Clippers’ priority is making sure Leonard is available in April. As Azarly points out, the 33-year-old hasn’t been healthy at the end of any of the past four seasons, so he and the club are willing to take things as slowly as they need to in order to maximize the chances that he’s good to go for the postseason.
Led by James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac, L.A. has performed well without Leonard so far this season. Entering Tuesday’s games, the team is the No. 6 seed in the West with a 21-17 record.
“They’ve been playing well all season,” Leonard said. “Hopefully we can get some win under our belts and move up in the standings, secure a playoff spot. That’s what we’re working for.”
Leonard will be available on Wednesday vs. Brooklyn for the first game of a back-to-back set, tweets Law Murray of The Athletic.
He is what is wrong with the NBA. Absolutely an overpaid slacker. Get a real job dude.
It’s disgusting.
“Slacker” is an unbelievable term to call someone in the NBA. Not to mention a guy who is inarguably in the top 20 players in the league when healthy.
Kawhi could retire today and he will have put in more work than you and your father combined times 2. Eat your popcorn and be quiet.
Yes sir Mrs Leonard
Well well well this comes to no ones surprise
Why should he be in any kind of a rush? He’s never played a full season and he’s probably getting his 40 million whether he plays 10 games or 30?? He needs to put on his big boy pants and play, or retire!
Mr Softy.
This looks like letter form where you’re signing it as Mr. Softy. I don’t know you, so who am I to argue?
Being a bum doesn’t always mean you’re poor. Perfect example here.
And will eventually expect to be in the HOF.
He’s first ballot, slam dunk and a no brainier Hall of Famer.
There’s a hall of fame for quitters?
Y’all are funny. Dude gets injured a ton, you gripe at him for that, and y’all wanna make him go out and play 100% for 35 minutes so he can get injured again and gripe at him some more. Clips are right, they need him to hold up the rest of the season.
He’ll meander his way through another 45 games and be irrelevant when the playoffs arrive again. As usual.
You’re just proving that he’s worthless.
Clippers made a mistake extending him. Should have traded him or let him walk.
Kawhi is soft af
Just hang them up big dog you’ve ruined your legacy already