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Kawhi Leonard's Injury Status for Clippers vs. Trail Blazers

The LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers will play an NBA preseason game in Seattle.

Joey Linn

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on from the bench during a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at Frontwave Arena.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on from the bench during a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at Frontwave Arena. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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The LA Clippers are 1-1 through two NBA preseason games. Falling to the Golden State Warriors in Hawaii on a buzzer-beater, the Clippers bounced back with a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Now in Seattle for a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Clippers will play their third-straight game in a different city. Climate Pledge Arena will be the host of this preseason game, giving the passionate basketball fans in Seattle an opportunity to see NBA action.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has yet to practice as he rehabs his right knee that cost him four of LA’s six playoff games against the Dallas Mavericks. Ty Lue confirmed this after Thursday’s practice, which means Leonard will not play Friday night against Portland.

There has been no real indication if Leonard will be seen in any preseason games. When asked if he expects the star forward to be ready for opening night, Lue said on Thursday he is not sure. 

The Clippers will play two preseason games at Intuit Dome against the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings before hosting the Phoenix Suns on October 23 for the home opener.

Leonard appeared in 68 games last season, averaging 23.7 points. The 33-year-old forward made his sixth All-Star and All-NBA teams. The same knee inflammation he is dealing with now is what limited him in the postseason.

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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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