Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue told NBA reporters that superstar swingman Kawhi Leonard has not been cleared by the medical staff to practice.
Leonard is dealing with a hip injury.
Leonard hasn’t played since December 20. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks this season while shooting 52.1% from the field, 42.9% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS, RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The 32-year-old Leonard is 21st in the NBA in points per game. The Clippers are 19-12 on the season. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Leonard has a player option for next season. The future Hall of Famer is expected to decline that player option and enter unrestricted free agency. Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019. He missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from an ACL tear in his knee.
This is a big season for Leonard and the Clippers. If the team doesn’t go on a deep postseason run, Leonard could leave the club in free agency. The same goes for Paul George, who has a player option for next season too. James Harden also becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
NBA NEWS, RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Leonard is averaging 25.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Clippers, who have never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history. With Leonard, George, Harden and Russell Westbrook leading the way, LAC feels it has a good chance of winning it all this season.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
