LA Clippers 2019-20 Preview: Expectations are the highest in franchise history

Injury Updates

Paul George

The season isn’t starting off ideally. Paul George is guaranteed to miss some time.

The forward underwent surgery on both of his shoulders this summer. Surgery on his left shoulder repaired a torn labrum while the surgery on his right shoulder repaired a partially torn tendon on his rotator cuff.

When the surgeries were performed, George was still a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their medical team did not give an expected return date, opting to say he would be re-evaluated at the start of training camp.

After the trade, rumors cropped up that George could possibly miss up to six weeks to start the season. With the LA Clippers competing in a tough Western Conference, it wasn’t the news fans wanted to hear.

Thankfully, George himself dispelled those rumors on Media Day. No, he won’t be ready on opening night versus the Lakers, but he is shooting to be back around mid-November. For what it’s worth, the Oklahoma City Thunder come to Staples Center on November 18.

Kawhi Leonard

In regards to Kawhi, no one really knows what to expect. Here are the facts. He’s healthy but isn’t playing in the first couple of preseason games. He’s also not participating fully in practice every day, having just done his first full-contact practice yesterday. He told us at his introductory press conference that his goal was to play the entire season.

Does this mean he doesn’t get load managed at all? Probably not. With championship goals, it only makes sense that the Clippers are conservative with both of their star players. Do I think Kawhi will sit out 22 games like he did last season? Not likely.

This will be a situation that we just take day-by-day.