Clippers’ Leonard listed as questionable for Game 2 vs. Mavericks with knee injury

Kawhi

The Los Angeles Clippers may have to go another day without Kawhi Leonard as the forward has been listed as questionable ahead of Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks, the team announced Monday.

The Clippers stomped the Mavericks in the opening game of their first-round series on Sunday, taking them down 109-97 despite being shorthanded.

Leonard, 32, has been dealing with right knee inflammation in the latter part of the season. He has been out since March 31, missing the team’s last eight games.

“Progress has been made but the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Thursday. “We’re hopeful he’s going to get there.”

Ahead of the playoff series, Leonard reportedly had an injection in his knee to help with his recovery.

“We don’t comment on any specific treatments,” Frank said. “He’s doing everything he can and we’re doing everything we can medically.”

Leonard has participated in film sessions and reviews of the Mavs’ personnel, but he hasn’t been able to have any contact on the court, Frank added

The two-time Finals MVP played in 68 games this season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for the Clippers.

Last season, Leonard played in the first game of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns before missing the final three games with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

In the 2021 playoffs, Leonard sprained his knee against Utah in the Western Conference semifinals. The Clippers beat the Jazz and advanced to the Conference finals for the first time, losing to Phoenix in six games.

He then missed all of the 2021-22 season after recovering from a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee.

— With files from The Associated Press