Los Angeles Clippers player Kawhi Leonard has been forced to sit out of Game 3 of the NBA playoffs against the Phoenix Suns after sustaining a right knee sprain (ESPN, The Athletic). Leonard previously injured the same knee in the 2021 playoffs and had it repaired surgically, causing him to miss the 2022 season (The Athletic). Despite this, the Clippers are reportedly less worried about Leonard’s current injury than they were during last year’s playoffs (HoopsHype).
The star player’s recent injury adds to his already lengthy history of ailments during the NBA playoffs (Sporting News). Leonard was seen playing through pain during Game 2 of the series against the Suns (Sports Illustrated). The Clippers are now left to navigate the playoffs without Leonard, who is a crucial member of their team (Yahoo Sports).
This news comes in the midst of a “growing list of key players” who are missing playoff games due to injuries, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving (Yahoo Sports, USA Today). The Clippers will need to rely on their depth chart and find ways to overcome the absence of their star player in order to advance in the playoffs.
In addition to his injury, Leonard has also been in the news recently for his interaction with Suns player Chris Paul after Game 2, with tensions reportedly running high between the two (Sports Illustrated). Despite this, Leonard remains a highly respected and skilled player in the NBA, and his absence will be felt on the court by the Clippers.
