A familiar shadow has fallen over the Los Angeles Clippers’ remarkable season turnaround. Star forward Kawhi Leonard has been sent home from the team’s road trip to receive treatment for left knee irritation.
The timing could not be more precarious, as the Clippers have surged to win 13 of their last 15 games to claw into the Western Conference play-in picture.
Leonard is officially listed as out due to a left knee contusion suffered on January 10 and will miss at least the final two games of the team’s road trip. He is scheduled for a re-evaluation when the team returns to Los Angeles.
The Anatomy of a Concerning Setback
The Clippers have stated the issue stems from a knee contusion Leonard sustained on January 10 against the Detroit Pistons. While the team and reporter Chris Haynes have indicated the issue is “not seen as anything serious,”
Leonard has a long history of significant knee issues, most notably a partially torn ACL in 2021 that required surgery and cost him an entire season.
He has been the undisputed catalyst for the Clippers’ resurgence, a period during which the team transformed from a 6-21 start to a 19-23 record and the 10th seed in the West.
How the Clippers Plan to Survive
With Leonard out, a heavier burden falls on veteran guard James Harden. Harden responded in the first game without Leonard, leading the team to a victory over the Washington Wizards with 36 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
Over the last six games, he has averaged 15.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting an efficient 56.3% from the field, making a strong case for an expanded role.
The team remains significantly short-handed, as they are also without Bradley Beal (season-ending hip surgery), Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), and Derrick Jones Jr. (knee sprain).
A Fraught History and High Stakes
The Clippers’ cautious approach is informed by painful experience. The organization has a documented history of initially downplaying Leonard’s knee injuries, only for them to later be revealed as more severe.
This pattern has created an environment of understandable skepticism whenever Leonard’s health is in question.
An extended absence from Leonard could quickly undo a month’s worth of progress and deflate the team’s hard-earned momentum.
Looking Ahead: Evaluation and the Road Home
All eyes are now on Leonard’s re-evaluation scheduled for this Wednesday. The results will determine whether this is a minor bump in the road or the beginning of another lengthy saga.
In the immediate term, the Clippers must close their road trip against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday without their best player.
Their playoff hopes may hinge on a fragile knee and the team’s ability to shield it from further consequence.