The undermanned Los Angeles Clippers were outgunned by the Phoenix Suns in Wednesday’s matchup, but the current concerns around Kawhi Leonard health has been the most prominent issue for the club. Ty Lue appeared optimistic that Leonard’s injury woes will not be carried into the postseason.
Leonard went through a relatively healthy season up until April surpassing the 60-game mark for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. The two-time NBA champion missed the last six Clippers’ games due to a knee inflammation. As Tomer Azarly of Clutchpoints revealed, Lue confirmed that Leonard’s availability for the playoffs is not in jeopardy.
The Clippers clinched a Playoff spot on Tuesday as Ty Lue decided to give his star players a day off ahead of the upcoming postseason battle against the red-hot Dallas Mavericks. James Harden and Paul George stayed out as the undermanned Clippes fell to the Suns 124-108.
In any case, the LA Clippers will need their star-studded roster at 100 percent in order to face Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the postseason. The two teams are set to clash in the opening round of the playoffs with the home advantage still in play for the series.
As of now, the Clippers are one game ahead of the Mavericks with two more games remaining for the end of the NBA regular season.
Asked Tyronn Lue if there is concern that Kawhi Leonard’s absence could bleed into the playoffs.
Ty: “No, not right now.”
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 11, 2024
Kawhi Leonard carries Clippers to a potential Top-4 finish
The LA Clippers are in hunt for the first championship in franchise history with Kawhi Leonard as the face of the team. The All-NBA superstar saw his career being hampered by various injuries that kept sidelined for a vast amount of time. This season, the former Raptors’ and Spurs’ forward started to even play in back-to-back games.
Leonard was usually avoiding playing consecutive back-to-back contest as the Clippers were load managing his time on the court. Leonard is averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 52 percent shooting on 68 games – the most he played since the 2016-17 season when he was in San Antonio.
The Clippers are a plus-8.2 when Kawhi Leonard is on the floor a registering win shares of 8.7 which is tied for his 5th best season in that statistical category. In any case, Leonard missing any time during the playoffs will be disastrous for the Clippers’ hopes of a deep playoff run and the potential chances of winning the NBA title.
