Kawhi Leonard will not be available to start the 2024-25 NBA season for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Leonard Will Be Out With Lingering Knee Issues
ESPN reported that Leonard will be sidelined for "an indefinite period of time" as he continues to rehab the inflammation in his right knee. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has not played in the preseason nor participated in any activity involving on-court contact during training camp.
Leonard explained his situation to reporters ahead of LA's preseason game against Golden State a few weeks back.
"We're just taking it slow, taking it day by day, and just trying to get me back on the floor,' he told the media.
"It's not really based on how I'm feeling. It's more of just listening to the doctors and seeing what I can do to prevent what I have been doing because I've been doing a lot. A lot of stuff that probably has me where I am now."
After hearing of the latest injury news regarding Kawhi, some fans were urging the star forward to retire.
"Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely. He just gotta retire at this point," one fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Kawhi Leonard played 15 games in 3 years lol. Man just retire and live life," another fan added.
Kawhi's History of Injuries Continues to Hold Him Back
Leonard missed the last eight games of the last regular season and four of the Clippers' six games in their first-round playoff exit. His injuries also forced him to sit out for the Paris Olympics.
Ahead of their final preseason game on Thursday, head coach Tyronn Lue said he was "not sure" if Leonard would play in the season opener. He went on to reiterate that the goal for the all-star was to "keep getting better and keep checking the boxes."
Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season after undergoing surgery to repair his ACL and meniscus in the offseason.
His 2023 postseason was cut short when he suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee, followed by his abbreviated 2024 postseason due to inflammation.
LA opens the season against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the first-ever regular season game played at the Intuit Dome.
