Kawhi Leonard was absent during Game 1 of the first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, which the Clippers won 109-97 at Crypto.com Arena. Leonard sat out his ninth consecutive game due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Coach Ty Lue stated before the game that Leonard’s availability for Game 2 on Tuesday remains uncertain.
Clippers coach Ty Lue on why he considered the Game 1 win over the Mavs to be significant pic.twitter.com/k3NRYXpu3W
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Since March 31, Kawhi Leonard has been sidelined and has not engaged in any contact during practice.
“I’m not sure,” Lue said when asked whether this could be a multiple-game absence for Leonard in the first round. “He’s progressing. He’s been on the floor the last couple days. We’re just taking it day by day.”
Coach Lue has observed that Kawhi Leonard has been practicing more shooting with movement in recent sessions. There is a day of rest between Game 1 and Game 2, but after Game 2, both teams won’t play again until Friday’s Game 3 in Dallas.
Clippers’ President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank, confirmed that Kawhi Leonard’s surgically repaired right ACL and right meniscus are stable and structurally intact. However, Frank described the inflammation as ‘persistent’ and ‘unpredictable.’
“It’s tough for him, but he’s getting better,” Lue said. “But he’s frustrated, as he should be.”
In last year’s first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Leonard participated in Games 1 and 2 but then missed the final three games due to a torn meniscus.
Paul George expressed his frustration with the recurring postseason injuries affecting both himself and Leonard. Additionally, George was unable to play against Phoenix in the first round last year due to his own injury.
In 2020, the franchise experienced its sole complete postseason run with both Leonard and George in good health.
Paul George expressed, “Regarding injuries, it seems we’ve simply had bad luck. However, we’re maintaining a positive outlook and believe that he will eventually join us.”
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