Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Out for NBA Playoffs Game 6 vs. Luka, Mavs with Knee Injury
May 2, 2024
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is still suffering from injuries as the team looks to make a run in the playoffs.
Per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Leonard has been ruled out for Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks due to a knee injury.
Right knee issues have caused Leonard problems for the past several weeks. He missed the final eight games of the regular season with soreness in the knee that he had surgery on to repair a partially torn ACL in July 2021.
The knee kept Leonard out for Game 1 of the Clippers' first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. He returned for the next two games, but it became clear from his performance that he wasn't at full strength.
Leonard only played 25 minutes in Game 3. He managed to finish with nine points and nine rebounds, while also committing four turnovers.
The Clippers ruled Leonard out for Game 4 against the Mavs due to right knee inflammation. He was also held out of Game 5.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told reporters prior to Game 4 that Leonard wouldn't return to the court until he can show all the movement skill needed to play in games.
This marks the third consecutive postseason for the Clippers that Leonard has missed multiple games due to injuries. They won their first two games against the Mavs without the six-time All-Star.
James Harden and Paul George have been able to step up in Leonard's absence. Harden averaged 26.0 points on 54.1 percent shooting and 7.0 assists in the first four games against Dallas. George dropped 33 points on 7-of-10 three-point shooting in Game 4.
Head coach Tyronn Lue will likely continue to use Amir Coffey, who started Games 1 and 4 against the Mavs, in the starting lineup until Leonard can return.