How long is Kawhi Leonard out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Clippers star

How long is Kawhi Leonard out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Clippers star

Death, taxes, Kawhi Leonard injuries. 

It’s an unfortunate reality for the Clippers’ star, who is no stranger to being sidelined. Since signing with Los Angeles ahead of the 2019-20 season, Leonard has missed 181 regular season games and played in 229. 

He’s also missed 11 of a possible 37 playoff games.

The problem for the Clippers, however, is that he’s poised to add to that playoff total after another injury has claimed the star forward. Leonard wasn’t available for Game 1 of the Mavericks-Clippers series, and it seems likely he’ll miss more.

How long will the Clippers be without their star forward? Here’s the latest on Leonard’s knee.

MORE: Ranking every playoff team’s odds to win the 2024 NBA Finals

What is Kawhi Leonard’s injury?

Leonard has missed time with right knee inflammation.

The star forward last played for the Clippers on March 31, missing the team’s final eight regular season games in addition to Game 1 of the first round against the Mavericks. 

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It’s unclear what caused the latest ailment, but this is the same knee that’s been problematic for Leonard in the past. He’s already torn the ACL and meniscus in his right knee, only complicating matters. 

How long is Kawhi Leonard out?

The Clippers will have their star available for Game 2 against the Mavericks on Tuesday. Coach Ty Lue told reporters before the game Leonard would be available in the game, setting him up for his first game action since March 31.

Leonard played in 68 games for the Clippers this season, his most since signing with the team ahead of the 2019-20 campaign. While that went a long way in quieting some of the injury concerns, Leonard has still been unable to escape ailments in the postseason. 

He managed to play in just two playoff games in 2022-23.

SN’s NBA AWARDS: All-NBA Team | All-Defense Team | Player of the Year

Clippers vs. Mavericks schedule, TV channels

Date Game Time (ET) TV/Live stream
April 21 Game 1 3:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
April 23 Game 2 10 p.m. TNT, Sling
April 26 Game 3 8 p.m. ESPN, Sling
April 28 Game 4 3:30 p.m. ABC, Sling
May 1 Game 5* TBD TBD
May 3 Game 6* TBD TBD
May 5 Game 7* TBD TBD

*If necessary

Kawhi Leonard stats 2023-24

  • 23.7 points per game
  • 6.1 rebounds per game
  • 3.6 assists per game
  • 1.6 steals per game
  • 0.9 blocks per game
  • 1.8 turnovers per game
  • 52.5 percent field goal shooting
  • 41.7 percent 3-point shooting
  • 88.5 percent free throw shooting
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