0
0
Kawhi Leonard Sidelined for Game 5 Due to Knee Inflammation
Los Angeles Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard will be absent from Game 5 of the team’s closely contested first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks due to inflammation in his right knee. This announcement was made by Clippers coach Tyronn Lue on Tuesday, marking the third game out of five that Leonard will miss in this series.
Leonard had previously sat out Game 1 and Game 4 of the series after dealing with right knee pain that caused him to miss the last eight games of the regular season. Although he did make a return for Games 2 and 3 of the series, his performance was subpar, with only 24 points scored in both games combined, along with a lackluster shooting performance, failing to make a single 3-pointer.
Performance Impact
Interestingly, the Clippers managed to secure victories in the games that Leonard missed, while the Mavericks emerged victorious in the games where Leonard was in the lineup. This unexpected outcome underscores the challenges that the Clippers face in the absence of their star player.
Throughout the season, Leonard showcased his skills by averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, playing a total of 68 games, his highest since the 2016-17 season with the San Antonio Spurs. However, injuries have plagued Leonard in the latter part of his NBA career, preventing him from completing a full healthy season since joining the Clippers in 2019.
Notably, Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a right knee injury sustained during the 2021 playoffs, which required significant surgery. Despite this setback, the Clippers managed to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history that year, although Leonard was sidelined for the entire season.
Image/Photo credit: source url
