Kawhi Leonard injury status up in the air ahead of NBA playoffs

L.A. Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard.

Clippers versus Mavericks Part III is coming to television screens near you.

After the Kawhi Leonard-led Clippers squad got the better of Luka Doncic’s Mavericks in the 2020 and 2021 NBA playoffs, the teams will renew their rivalry starting with Game 1 next weekend.

Although the Clippers start as favorites on paper, the momentum is clearly with the Mavericks, who have the third-best record in the league (18-8) since the All-Star break and have benefited enormously from the NBA trade-deadline acquisitions of two key starters — Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington.

The Clippers, on the other hand, have gone 15-13 since the All-Star break and face difficult questions heading into the playoffs. Is Leonard even healthy? The All-Star forward has not suited up for a game since March 31 with knee soreness.

Due to Leonard’s injury history, there should be legitimate concern in the Clippers camp. After the team rested its starters in Friday’s 110-109 defeat to the Jazz, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was asked if Leonard would be ready for Game 1 against the Mavericks.

“That is what we want to see,” Lue told reporters. “Hopefully he will be playing.”

During the game, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank provided an update on Leonard’s injury status.

Neither Frank nor Lue has confirmed Leonard’s availability for Game 1 against Dallas.

Leonard’s absence would be a devastating blow for the Clippers. The former Finals MVP averaged 32.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists when the Clippers beat the Mavs 4-3 in 2021.

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