Kawhi Leonard Raring to Go as LA Clippers Open Playoffs
The LA Clippers are set to kick off their postseason campaign against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, and star forward Kawhi Leonard is primed to lead the charge. According to a report by the NBA, Leonard is feeling fresh in mind and body, a far cry from the injury-plagued seasons that have hampered his playoff performances in recent years.
As noted by the NBA, Leonard’s health has been a major issue during his five years with the Clippers. In 2020-21, he hurt his knee in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Utah and missed the rest of the series. The Clippers advanced to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history and lost to Phoenix. Leonard sat out the entire 2021-22 season while rehabbing his knee, and although he came back strong in 2022-23, he tore his meniscus in the first round of the playoffs. Last season, he hurt his right knee and played in just two games as the Clippers lost in the first round to Dallas.
However, as reported by the NBA, Leonard has been working hard to get back to full fitness, and his efforts have paid off. The 33-year-old two-time Finals MVP has been impressive in his recent performances, including a 33-point haul in an overtime win at Golden State to close out the regular season. According to the NBA, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue credited the team’s medical staff, led by medical staff president Maggie Bryant, with helping Leonard to achieve his current level of fitness.
"It feels good for us and him playing at a high level helps our team out tremendously," Lue said, as quoted by the NBA. "I’m happy for him for all the hard work he’s put in to get to this point and to be healthy at the end of the season."
The NBA reports that Leonard has always come to play in the postseason, averaging 29.3 points while shooting 63% in 60 games between 2017 and 2020. As noted by the NBA, he has a reputation for delivering in the playoffs, having won two NBA championships – one with San Antonio and another with Toronto.
As the Clippers begin the postseason as the league’s hottest team, having won eight in a row, Leonard is focused on making the most of his opportunity. "Just don’t take the opportunity for granted and try to play my best, and that’s it," he said, according to the NBA. "Just having fun."
The NBA notes that Leonard’s teammate, Norman Powell, has praised his efforts, saying, "You can just tell when he’s able to play and be healthy and play the game he loves at the level that he knows he can play at."
The Clippers will face a tough test in the first round against the Nuggets, but with Leonard firing on all cylinders, they will be confident of making a deep run in the playoffs. As reported by the NBA, Leonard’s health and form will be crucial to the Clippers’ chances of success.
The NBA adds that Leonard has said the Clippers allowed him to seek outside opinions on his health and then blend that information with the team’s medical staff to get healthy. "The biggest thing is just trusting," Lue said, as quoted by the NBA. "They didn’t let him shortcut, checked every box before he came back and he’s been feeling good."
In conclusion, the LA Clippers are set to kick off their postseason campaign with a strong chance of success, thanks in large part to the return to form of Kawhi Leonard. As reported by the NBA, Leonard’s health and form will be crucial to the Clippers’ chances of success, and with his recent performances, he is primed to lead the team to a deep run in the playoffs.
