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Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue Reveals Latest on Kawhi Leonard's Status

LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue spoke on star forward Kawhi Leonard

Joey Linn

Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center.
Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard appeared in 68 games last season, his most since his 2016-17 campaign with the San Antonio Spurs. While this was a huge development for the Clippers, it ended the same way each of previous three postseasons did, with Leonard sidelined due to injury.

Sidelined for the final eight regular season games due to right knee inflammation, Leonard was available for just two playoff games in LA’s opening round loss to the Dallas Mavericks, and was very limited in both.

The Clippers have not officially revealed whether or not they will be more conservative with Leonard’s work load next season, but it is reasonable to assume they could make some changes from last season’s approach.

Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden
Apr 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13, left) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2, center) and guard James Harden (1, right) watch the game from the bench during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

One thing that does seem clear right now, is that Leonard will be available when the Clippers begin training camp in Hawaii on October 1st.

Speaking with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Clippers head coach Ty Lue said of Leonard, “I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready for training camp."

This is consistent with what Clippers president Lawrence Frank told reporters in Las Vegas earlier this summer. While Leonard’s health in the spring is always a bigger concern than his health at this point of the year, it is still encouraging to hear he is feeling good after how last season ended.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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