Kawhi Leonard Returns to Practice, Clippers Stay Cautious Amid Injury Woes
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The LA Clippers got a much-needed boost this week as their star forward, Kawhi Leonard, returned to practice for the first time this season. Leonard, who has been sidelined due to inflammation in his right knee, participated in team drills on Tuesday, marking a significant step in his recovery. According to head coach Ty Lue, Leonard could potentially return to game action within the next two weeks, provided there are no setbacks.
For Clippers fans, this is the first glimpse of Leonard on the court since last season. The 33-year-old’s knee issues not only kept him out of the NBA season but also forced him to withdraw from the Paris Olympics, where he was initially slated to represent Team USA. While Leonard didn’t engage in contact drills, Lue confirmed that he participated in offensive scripting and defensive work, which is a promising sign for his progress.
“He did offensive script, defensive work, and just no contact,” Lue said. “But he did pretty much everything else.”
After practice, Leonard was spotted leaning against a basketball stanchion while teammates James Harden and Kris Dunn stayed behind for extra shooting. However, Leonard did not speak to reporters, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on his mindset and readiness.
Clippers Battling Through Adversity
Leonard’s return to practice comes at a critical time for the Clippers, who have dropped three of their last five games. To make matters worse, the team announced on Tuesday that Derrick Jones Jr. is dealing with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Despite these challenges, the Clippers have managed to stay competitive, boasting a 14-11 record and sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
“Really good sign, just seeing him out there moving, moving well,” Lue said of Leonard’s practice session. “I think the biggest thing for him is just the confidence in it. Just having the confidence to keep doing it, not to feel the pain, and just continue to keep getting through it.”
Even without Leonard, the Clippers have been a defensive force, ranking sixth in the league with a defensive rating of 108.5 points allowed per 100 possessions. A big part of their success has been the emergence of Norman Powell, who has stepped up in a starting role. Powell has increased his scoring average from 13.9 points last season to an impressive 23.6 points this season, earning early buzz for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
Patience is Key for Leonard’s Return
While Leonard’s presence at practice has undoubtedly lifted the team’s spirits, Lue emphasized the importance of patience in his recovery process. The Clippers are determined to ensure Leonard is fully healthy before he returns to game action.
“He’s got to do a lot more things to really get back on the floor,” Lue said. “We just want to make sure he’s 100%. We don’t want to get him out there, 70%, 75%. Like, let’s just take our time, make sure we get it right. … We’re not going to let him skip steps, and so we want to do right by Kawhi.”
Leonard’s injury history has been a significant storyline throughout his career. Since joining the Clippers in 2019, he has missed 204 of a possible 460 games, including the entire 2021-22 season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. Despite these setbacks, Lue praised Leonard’s mental toughness and commitment to the recovery process.
“I’m just happy he’s doing it again, he’s getting close and he’s really in a good space mentally,” Lue said. “So he’s just got to stay with it, stay with the program. Can’t get frustrated trying to rush back.”
What’s Next for the Clippers?
While the Clippers are eager to see Leonard back on the court, there’s no expectation for him to immediately return to his peak form as a two-time Finals MVP. Lue acknowledged that it will take time for Leonard to regain his rhythm and confidence.
“At some point, not right away,” Lue said. “But at some point, we need him to be Kawhi Leonard. And I think he can do that. And just seeing the year he had last year — 68 games and how he played at a high level. He was really, really playing at a high level. So we just got to get him back to that.”
For now, the Clippers will continue to rely on their depth and resilience as they await Leonard’s return. With a strong defensive foundation and contributions from players like Powell, the team has shown they can compete even without their superstar. But make no mistake — the Clippers’ ultimate success this season hinges on Leonard’s ability to stay healthy and return to form.
- Key Stats: Clippers are 14-11, ranked sixth in the Western Conference.
- Defensive Rating: Sixth in the league, allowing 108.5 points per 100 possessions.
- Norman Powell: Averaging 23.6 points per game, up from 13.9 last season.
As the Clippers navigate this challenging stretch, all eyes will remain on Leonard’s progress. Can he return in time to make a significant impact? Only time will tell, but for now, the Clippers are staying the course and keeping their focus on the bigger picture.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
