With a roster no longer featuring Russell Westbrook or Paul George, and now dealing with Kawhi Leonard’s injury, the LA Clippers are likely to face a challenging start to the season.
After many promises and some positive signs, the LA Clippers still cannot count on their biggest star. Kawhi Leonard will be out indefinitely due to an injury, missing the opening phase of the NBA 2024-25 Regular Season.
Kawhi Leonard will miss the opening phase of the Regular Season for the LA Clippers, taking an indefinite break due to a right knee injury. This information was confirmed by LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, who added that the two-time Finals MVP still does not feel comfortable with the right knee, which was operated on last year.
“We don’t have an official return date for him,” Tyronn Lue told reporters. “This process will take time. All I can confirm is that everything is on the right track, and Kawhi is working very hard to return to the court for the club.”
Over the past three weeks, Kawhi Leonard has been “frozen” and has not participated in any on-court activities to avoid putting pressure on his knee. Despite the team’s cautious approach and Leonard himself feeling that things are improving, he still has not been able to return.
Speaking more about the 1991-born star’s recovery process, the LA Clippers stated that Kawhi Leonard had experienced a few setbacks while joining the U.S. basketball team in preparation for the Olympics.
At that time, Leonard was called up by Coach Steve Kerr. However, Kawhi only practiced a few sessions with the team before re-injuring himself, later being replaced by defensive specialist Derrick White.
Currently, as Kawhi Leonard’s coach with the LA Clippers and a member of the U.S. Olympic coaching staff, Coach Tyronn Lue expressed regret about what his player has had to go through. He shared that everything had been going well until Leonard’s injury reappeared.
Without Kawhi Leonard in the early stages of the Regular Season, the Los Angeles Clippers will rely more heavily on James Harden. With the departure of Paul George (to the LA Clippers) and Russell Westbrook (to Denver), Harden‘s role in leading and coordinating the offense will be emphasized.
Coach Ty Lue has revealed the Clippers‘ starting lineup for the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on October 24. The five starting players will be James Harden, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Derrick Jones Jr., and center Ivica Zubac.
