The Los Angeles Clippers have not received any good news about Kawhi Leonard going into Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran superstar remains questionable recovering from a right knee injury and has missed the Clippers’ last nine games.
Despite missing Leonard in Game 1, the LA Clippers dominated Dallas to take an 1-0 lead in the series. Leonard hasn’t played since March 31 after playing 68 games during the regular season and helping the Clippers reach the 4th seed in Western Conference.
James Harden carried the Clippers to the win in Game scoring an efficient 28 points along with nine assists as Ty Lue’s group cruised to a comfortable win. With Leonard out, Harden took the initiative to get more scoring opportunities against the Mavs’ perimeter defense.
Leonard participated in practice Monday but there was no contact as the two-time champion recovers from injury. It remains pretty obvious that Kawhi Leonard is bothered by the injury in his right knee which has undergone surgeries in the past for ACL and meniscus injuries.
Kyrie Irving explains why Kawhi Leonard’s absence surprised Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks seemed surprised seeing no Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 after the Clippers gave him enough days to recover at the start of the month. Kawhi Leonard’s injury proved more serious at the end, and that might have stuttered the Mavericks’ gameplan.
“When someone like Kawhi who has a huge presence for their team isn’t playing, there is a bit of an adjustment period mentally because that means that other guys have to step up.” Kyrie Irving said after Game 1 loss, per Tomer Azarly of Clutchpoints.
The Clippers will look to keep their home advantage intact before the series shift to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. As of now, Leonard remains away from the possibility to play on Tuesday.
