LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard was ruled out of his eighth consecutive game Sunday with what the team is calling inflammation in his right knee. It is the answer that has been given for two weeks with no added explanation.
And now, with the playoffs looming in less than a week, on Sunday Clippers coach Tyronn Lue provided little clarity about their biggest star’s availability for the first round that will start either April 20 or 21.
How much has Kawhi been working out and will he be playing in the playoffs when they start either Saturday or Sunday?
Lue said simply, “He’s not playing today.”
Okay. What about his workouts? Has he been working out any at all?
“Yeah, he’s been doing a little something.”
The Clippers open the first round against the Dallas Mavericks next weekend, giving Leonard less than a week to get back into game shape. Although the team has found a way to win without Leonard, going 5-4 in his absence.
So, you expect him to play in the playoffs?
“I didn’t say anything.”
And there lies the problem. The Clippers’ lack of transparency with Leonard dates to 2021 when the two-time Finals MVP went down in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals with what the team described as a knee sprain.
It turned out that Leonard had a torn ACL that later needed to be surgically repaired, costing him the 2021-22 season.
The Clippers offered a similar response last season when Leonard suffered another knee injury in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns that the team downplayed in their press conferences and releases. Days later, it was revealed that Leonard had torn his right meniscus.
So, what are you telling me?
“I ain’t telling you nothing. He’s not playing tonight and then we’ll see,” Lue said.
With their playoff opponent set and home-court advantage secured, Lue rested several players for the regular-season finale that ended in a 116-105 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Paul George, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook Ivica Zubac and Bones Hyland were on the bench. Kai Jones, an athletic big man who the Clippers officially signed Sunday, took a seat on the bench.
Related Articles
Clippers’ Kobe Brown relishes his first NBA postseason
With No. 4 seed secured, Clippers play it safe in loss to Jazz
Bones Hyland says he’ll be ready whenever the Clippers need him
Swanson: Updates? No update; Clippers, Kawhi Leonard keep their fans guessing
Bones Hyland, Clippers’ reserves get a night to shine in loss to Suns
That left the reserves to close out the franchise’s last regular season game at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers will move into their new home, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, after 25 seasons in downtown Los Angeles.
Terance Mann, the only regular starter to play, scored a game-high 24 points and had six rebounds, while Amir Coffey added 18 points, Brandon Boston Jr. finished with 15 points and Daniel Theis had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rockets, who have been eliminated from the playoffs, were led by Cam Whitmore, who scored 21 points, and Amen Thompson, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds.