Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has yet again been sidelined with a knee injury. This time, it has been reported that Leonard has a torn meniscus in his right knee (The Athletic, USA Today, CBS Sports, KTLA, Fox News). The injury caused Leonard to miss the final three games of the Clippers’ first-round playoff series loss to the Phoenix Suns (Sports Illustrated, NBA.com, ESPN).
Initially, the team had only labeled the injury as a right knee sprain. However, it has been revealed that it is much more severe than previously thought (Sports Illustrated). The exact timeline for Leonard’s recovery is unclear, but it is expected to take several months at the very least (The Athletic).
This is not the first time that Leonard has faced injury issues. Throughout his career, he has had various issues with his knees, including missing the entire 2017-2018 season with a quad injury (Basketball Network). Leonard’s injury has raised questions about his future with the Clippers, as he can become a free agent this offseason (Los Angeles Times).
The Clippers have faced multiple injuries this postseason, with Paul George also missing time due to injury (Los Angeles Times). The team faces a difficult offseason with both Leonard and George’s contract situations up in the air, as well as head coach Tyronn Lue’s future with the team (Los Angeles Times).
As for Leonard’s current injury, he is reportedly weighing out his options for rehabilitation heading into the offseason (CBS Sports). Fans and analysts alike are speculating on the future of Leonard’s career, with some even suggesting that he should retire due to his ongoing injury issues (Basketball Network).
Ultimately, the news of Kawhi Leonard’s injury has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA community, and it remains to be seen how the Clippers will handle this setback as they look to build for the future.
