Kawhi Leonard injury: “He’ll miss a few games”
Kawhi Leonard is sidelined again – an ankle sprain will keep him out of the Clippers’ next few games, though his return shouldn’t be too far away
It’s not an easy stretch for the Los Angeles Clippers. Tyronn Lue confirmed that Kawhi Leonard will miss “a few games” due to a right ankle sprain, another setback coming just as the team was trying to build some rhythm early in the season.
Leonard also missed Saturday night’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns, which ended in a 114–103 loss – his third straight absence.
According to Lue, medical tests ruled out any serious issues, and the medical staff expects a relatively quick recovery. The Clippers will play two home games – on Monday and Wednesday – before heading out on a long seven-game road trip over two weeks, a stretch where Leonard’s presence will be key to staying competitive in the Western Conference standings.
Before the injury, Leonard had started the season strongly, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his first three games, including a 27-point performance in 37 minutes during the loss to Miami.
The issue is that injuries have been a recurring theme since he joined the Clippers in 2019. After missing the entire 2021–22 season due to a knee injury, Leonard had to manage the same knee again last year, sitting out for more than a third of the season.
This time, the hope is that it’s just a short break – not yet another prolonged setback for one of the NBA’s most impactful, yet most unlucky, stars.