Kawhi Leonard ‘Progressing Well’ in Knee Injury Rehab, Clippers HC Ty Lue Says

Adam WellsNovember 30, 2024

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Even though there’s no definite return timeline for Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers are encouraged by the progress he’s making in his recovery from a knee injury.

Head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters on Friday that Leonard is “progressing well” and he’s been able to do some things on the court recently, but they are going to make sure he’s at 100 percent before putting him in games.

Tomer Azarly @TomerAzarlyTyronn Lue on Kawhi Leonard’s recovery pregame:

“He’s progressing well. He’s been able to get on the court and do some things on the court, which is good for us. So just still checking every box, making sure that he’s doing the right things and his workouts are really good and… pic.twitter.com/NNAczOq036

Leonard has been dealing with knee issues since the end of last season. He missed the final eight games of the regular season with soreness in his right knee.

The Clippers tried playing him in their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, but he had to be shut down after struggling to make it through Game 3.

Despite missing the final two games of the postseason, Leonard tried to play for Team USA over the summer. USA Basketball wound up getting replacing him on the roster by Derrick White, but Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said there was no setback with Leonard’s injury recovery:

“No, it was USAB’s call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision. Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good. Was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn’t there for the third practice where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction [last Wednesday]. I expressed to them I really wish that they would’ve given Kawhi more time.”

Even though there was no setback for Leonard at that time, the Clippers announced on Oct. 17 he would be out indefinitely to start the season to continue rehabbing his right knee.

There has been no update from Lue or the Clippers about when Leonard might make his season debut. He has already missed 21 games so far.

Since signing a three-year, $153 million extension with the Clippers on Jan. 10, Leonard has played in 36 out of 71 possible games (including the playoffs). Assuming he misses at least one more game, this will be the sixth time in eight seasons he has played in 60 or fewer games.

The Clippers have been able to stay above water without Leonard. They are currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 12-9 record thanks to a defense that ranks fourth in points allowed per game and sixth in rating.