Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely as the 2024-25 NBA season begins, due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee, according to sources from ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk and Shams Charania.
Leonard, who was already ruled out for the Clippers’ entire five-game preseason schedule, will also miss the team’s season opener on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new arena. The inflammation in Leonard’s surgically repaired knee has been an issue throughout the offseason, despite some improvement, according to team president Lawrence Frank in September.
Initially selected for USA Basketball’s training camp ahead of the 2024 Summer Games, Leonard was sent home due to concerns over his knee and was replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. The two-time NBA champion reportedly underwent a third procedure on his right knee this offseason, marking his fourth surgery in as many years. This recurring issue has forced the Clippers to be cautious in his recovery, opting to keep him out of parts of training camp to focus on strengthening the joint.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed Leonard would miss the remainder of the preseason but did not provide further specifics about his return timetable.
Tyronn Lue says Kawhi Leonard will not play today or Thursday, so he’s out for the whole Clippers’ preseason.
What’s he gonna do this week?
“Continue to keep rehabbing, keep getting better, and keep checking the boxes.” pic.twitter.com/HdNEildjUo
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 15, 2024
Leonard’s knee problems resurfaced during the Clippers’ 2023 first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. He missed four of Los Angeles’ six games due to inflammation, appearing in Games 2 and 3, where his mobility seemed limited. Leonard scored just 24 points combined in both games, shooting 11-of-24 overall and 0-of-5 from three-point range. The Clippers lost both contests.
Leonard’s injury history includes a July 2021 ACL surgery on the same knee, which caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. In 2023, he tore his meniscus during a first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, limiting him to just two games and forcing him to sit out the last three as the Clippers were eliminated in five games.
Despite his injury challenges, the Clippers extended Leonard’s contract in January with a three-year, fully guaranteed $152.4-million deal, keeping him under contract through the 2026-27 season.
