Inglewood, California – Concerns arise for LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard as President Lawrence Frank disclosed on Tuesday that the swelling in his inflamed right knee has significantly reduced. Despite the positive development, the team has decided to refrain from including Leonard in drills during training camp, with uncertainties looming over his availability for the upcoming regular season. The Clippers are taking a cautious approach to ensure Leonard’s long-term health and performance on the court.
According to Frank, the timeline for Leonard’s return will be contingent on how his knee reacts to each phase of his rehabilitation. Head coach Ty Lue emphasized the importance of following the guidance of the team’s medical staff and implementing a plan focused on strengthening Leonard’s knee before his comeback. The priority, Frank stressed, is to prepare Leonard to return at full strength, not only for the current season but for years to come.
Leonard’s right knee issues date back to the conclusion of the previous season, where he missed the final eight games due to inflammation in his surgically repaired knee. Despite making a brief return during the playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Leonard’s knee problems persisted throughout the summer, hindering his participation in the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA’s executive director Grant Hill expressed his admiration for Leonard’s commitment to the national team, acknowledging the challenges of playing through physical limitations. The decision to replace Leonard with another player during training camp was not attributed to setbacks in his knee recovery, as clarified by Frank. Notably, Lue, who served as an assistant coach for Team USA, refrained from commenting on the specifics of Leonard’s departure from the team.
As Leonard continues his recovery journey, the Clippers are prioritizing his long-term health and ensuring that he is in optimal condition before returning to the court. The team remains hopeful that Leonard’s dedication to rehabilitation and strength training will pave the way for a successful and sustained career moving forward.