Kawhi Leonard to Miss Game 5 Against Mavericks Due to Knee Injury
Kosport Magazine – Apr 30, 2024
The LA Clippers will be without their star player, Kawhi Leonard, for Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard has been dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee and will not be able to play.
This news comes after Leonard missed Game 4, which the Clippers won 116-111 to even the series at 2-2. In his absence, Paul George and James Harden stepped up and combined for 66 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds.
Leonard’s return to the court has been uncertain since he missed the final eight regular-season games and Game 1 of the series. He returned for Game 2 but only played 35 minutes and scored 15 points. However, he admitted that his knee did not respond well and Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank announced that he experienced swelling.
In Game 3, Leonard played 25 minutes but did not look like his usual self. It was then announced that he would be out until he could move like he did in Game 2, and his return date is unknown.
Despite not being able to play, Leonard has been a valuable presence for the team on the sidelines. Coach Ty Lue praised his involvement in shootarounds and practices, as well as his ability to communicate with his teammates and offer advice.
While the Clippers will miss Leonard’s on-court contributions, they will have to rely on their other star players to step up and continue to compete against the Mavericks. Leonard’s absence will be felt, but the team is confident in their ability to overcome this challenge and continue their pursuit of a championship.
