Leonard (knee) is available for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
After missing Sunday's Game 1 win due to knee inflammation, Leonard returned for Game 2 on Tuesday and put up 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block in 35 minutes during a 96-93 loss, marking his first appearance since March 31. With the series tied at 1-1, Leonard's health and impact will be key to the Clippers' success. Despite suiting up for back-to-back games, the questionable tag may stick with Leonard for the rest of the postseason.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Present at shootaround
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Leonard (knee), who is questionable for Friday's Game 3 against the Mavericks, was present for the Clippers' morning shootaround, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard returned from a nine-game absence during Tuesday's matchup against Dallas and continues to deal with knee inflammation ahead of Friday's game. However, his presence at shootaround is encouraging, and he appears to be trending in the right direction in the hours leading up to tipoff.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Questionable to play Friday
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Leonard is questionable for Game 3 against the Mavericks on Friday due to right knee inflammation, Mike Curtis of The Detroit News reports.
Leonard posted 15 points and seven rebounds in his return to action in Game 2. While he's included on the injury report ahead of Friday's contest, he did log 35 minutes in Game 2, so he should be in line to handle his regular workload in a pivotal matchup at home.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Strong two-way effort in return
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Leonard totaled 15 points (7-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and four steals in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 loss to Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Leonard returned to action Tuesday after missing nine straight games due to a knee injury. Although he was somewhat tentative to begin the game, he led the team in shot attempts and added five defensive stats. Barring any setbacks, Leonard should be good to go for Game 3 in Dallas on Friday.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Good to go for Game 2
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Leonard (knee) will be available to play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Leonard participated in the team's morning shootaround and went through his usual warmup Tuesday, and the Clippers had been very optimistic about his return prior to getting the official green light. The Clippers haven't been very transparent with this injury, and it's unclear whether Leonard will face restrictions Tuesday evening.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Optimistic to play Tuesday
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The Clippers believe Leonard (knee) will be able to play in Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Jared Greenberg of NBA TV reports.
Leonard is officially listed as questionable for Tuesday's contest after sitting out Game 1 with right knee inflammation. However, the star forward was able to participate in shootaround. If Leonard is able to suit up against Dallas, he will likely replace Amir Coffey in the starting lineup.
Leonard (knee) is officially listed as questionable but was present for the Clippers' morning shootaround before Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com
Leonard was ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 win, his ninth consecutive absence, but has a chance to return Tuesday. The Clippers will likely decide the veteran's availability closer to the 10 p.m. ET tipoff after seeing how he fares in pregame warmups. If Leonard is ruled out again, expect Terance Mann and Amir Coffey to pick up extra minutes.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Game-time call for Game 2
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Leonard (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Mavericks, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard took part in Monday's practice, and while it was reported to be a non-contact session, it appears all went well. The team will likely re-assess the star forward in the morning and see how he fares in shootaround and pregame warmups before making a decision on his availability for Game 2.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Set to practice Monday
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Leonard (knee) will participate in the Clippers' practice session Monday, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
While it's encouraging that Leonard will practice Monday after missing Sunday's Game 1 against Dallas, the Clippers won't be doing contact during the session and will treat it more like a walkthrough, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. The team will monitor the 32-year-old ahead of Tuesday's Game 2, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Leonard labeled as a game-time decision.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Ruled out for Game 1
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Leonard (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against Dallas, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
An ominous harkening back to last year's playoffs, Leonard will miss time with a right knee injury. After tearing his meniscus in 2022-23's first-round matchup versus Phoenix, the Clippers' 1-0 series advantage quickly turned into a 1-4 gentleman's sweep at the hands of the Suns. Leonard, whose current diagnosis is right knee inflammation, will need to have his status monitored in advance of Game 2 on Tuesday.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Officially listed as questionable
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Leonard (knee) is questionable to play Sunday against the Mavericks, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Leonard received an injection in his knee Thursday, and while there's skepticism regarding his availability for the series opener Sunday, the questionable tag suggests the star forward has a shot at playing in Game 1 after being diagnosed with right knee inflammation. However, a final decision regarding his status will be made closer to Sunday's 3:30 p.m. ET tipoff. If Leonard can't go, Paul George and James Harden would have to carry more of the offensive workload, while P.J. Tucker and Amir Coffey could be in line for extended minutes.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Increasing doubt for Game 1
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Leonard (knee) appears to be trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's Game 1 matchup with the Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
According to Wojnarowski, there is increasing doubt in regards to Leonard's potential availability. While he has not officially been cleared, it looks like he would need a quick turnaround at this point. Should the star forward ultimately not get the green light, Paul George and James Harden would presumably carry more of an offensive burden, while P.J. Tucker and Amir Coffey could see increased minutes.
Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Considered questionable for Game 1
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Leonard (knee) is questionable for Sunday's Game 1 against the Mavericks, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
The Clippers announced Thursday that Leonard received an injection in his left knee, and there's "cautious optimism" that he'll be ready for Sunday's matchup, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. While Leonard returned to practice Monday, he hasn't yet been cleared for 5-on-5 drills. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Thursday that he isn't sure whether Leonard will need to participate in full-contact work before he's cleared to return to game action but added that the inflammation needs to continue to reduce. Lawrence said that he's hopeful the issue is trending in the right direction and that Leonard will play but also indicated that the 32-year-old's status remains up in the air.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Receives injection in knee
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Leonard (knee) recently received an injection to aid in his recovery, and there is "cautious optimism" that he'll be ready for Sunday's Game 1 against Dallas, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday.
Leonard was unavailable for the Clippers' final eight games of the regular season due to right knee inflammation. He returned to practice Monday but hasn't yet been cleared for 5-on-5 drills. The Clippers will likely wait to see how his knee responds to his recent treatment before determining his status for the start of postseason play Sunday, but even if he isn't cleared for Game 1, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return some time during the Clippers' first-round series.
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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard: Not cleared for 5-on-5
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Coach Tyronn Lue said Wednesday that Leonard (knee) is progressing but hasn't been cleared for 5-on-5 drills yet, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Leonard missed the final eight regular-season games due to right knee inflammation but returned to practice Monday, albeit in a limited fashion. His official status for Sunday's Game 1 against the Mavericks won't be known until Saturday afternoon, but Lue said he's preparing as if Leonard will be available to start the postseason.
