The LA Clippers have to get Kawhi Leonard & others healthy

When Kawhi Leonard was not on the court to start the game on Tuesday night for the LA Clippers, confusion sat in. He was listed as healthy going right up to tip-off and was even included in the starting lineup when the Clippers’ PR team tweeted it out.

Eventually, we found out that he was an absolutely last-minute scratch due to back spasms after warming up. The Clippers pushed on and looked as though they would still give Boston a competitive game. Then, late in the second quarter, Marcus Morris was accidentally elbowed in the head and had to leave the game.

With two of their best scorers out, it was an uphill battle. Despite a 32 point performance from Paul George, the Clippers just didn’t have enough and dropped the game by five points. While that doesn’t really matter in the long run, the team’s health does.

The LA Clippers have to get Kawhi Leonard and Marcus Morris healthy.

Injuries are awful but if they are going to happen, the timing of these couldn’t be much better. The Clippers have just one game left on their schedule (Thursday versus the Washington Wizards) before entering the All-Star break. That break gives them seven days off before competitive play starts again.

Kawhi, who was selected as an All-Star starter by fans, should not play in the game, much less the one on Thursday in D.C. Back issues are something that can continually flare up if not treated and playing in an exhibition game is not something he should even consider doing. With championship aspirations for this Clipper team, his well-being should always be the top priority. I might even advocate holding him out of the first game back versus Golden State if the team doesn’t feel he is at 100%.

Morris will also need the time especially if he does have a concussion. There might be other ailments plaguing the team that aren’t keeping them out but will still be able to heal over the break.

After a grueling first half of the season, the whole league needs this break. Still, for the LA Clippers, this could not have come at a better time.