Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers have been working to address inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, an issue that has persisted since the end of last season. Despite notable improvement, Leonard will not participate in next week’s training camp drills as the team focuses on getting him back to full strength.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank confirmed the inflammation has decreased significantly but was cautious about setting any specific timeline for Leonard’s return, noting that his availability for the regular season remains uncertain and depends on how his knee responds during recovery.
Leonard’s knee trouble was a significant factor in the Clippers’ disappointing playoff run last season. He was limited to just two games in their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks due to recurrent inflammation. This forced absence contributed to the Clippers’ loss in six games.
With this in mind, the Clippers are taking a conservative approach to his recovery, aiming to avoid a repeat of the situation by emphasizing knee strengthening and conditioning before allowing Leonard to rejoin practices. According to coach Ty Lue, there is no immediate plan to integrate Leonard into team drills until the medical staff gives clearance.
The team has prioritized Leonard’s knee rehabilitation, focusing on building strength and avoiding a rushed return to action. Frank mentioned that last season, Leonard’s determination to play backfired when inflammation flared up after just a game and a half during the playoffs.
This time around, the team is determined to handle his recovery more carefully, focusing on a methodical strengthening process to ensure Leonard is fully prepared to play without risking further setbacks.
Leonard’s battle with knee inflammation has been ongoing, leading to his absence from the final eight regular-season games last year. Although he briefly returned for two playoff games, the knee issue quickly resurfaced.
He managed to participate in USA Basketball’s summer camp, but the inflammation remained problematic, leading to his replacement by Derrick White. Despite these complications, Frank reiterated that Leonard has not suffered any major setbacks this offseason, and his recovery continues to progress steadily.
Looking ahead, the Clippers are optimistic about Leonard’s rehabilitation. Frank described the recovery process as complex but expressed confidence in the progress they’ve made.
He noted that Leonard’s knee is in a much better condition compared to earlier in the year, and the team is committed to preventing any recurrence of the inflammation. While they’re still cautious, both Leonard and the Clippers are encouraged by the positive direction his recovery is taking, with the goal of getting him to full strength for the upcoming season.
