Clipperholics
Fansided

LA Clippers: Kawhi Leonard is playing it safe with his foot

By Seth Kimbrell

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The LA Clippers take on the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, but they’ll be without Kawhi Leonard. Our superstar only played one game after dealing with a sore right foot, and now that same foot will be keeping him out a while longer.

To be totally fair, the LA Clippers probably won’t miss Kawhi Leonard too much this game; they’ve handled Portland well all season, and that was when Portland had Damian Lillard. The Blazers will be without Lillard in this matchup.

That’s not the most concerning thing, though. Sure, the LA Clippers will likely be able to take care of business without Leonard this match, but he’s not just missing tonight. Per Marc Stein, Kawhi Leonard will be re-evaluated sometime next week.

The LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard are exercising an abundance of caution with his sore right foot.

I’m not as worried as I could be about this, to be honest. Let’s pretend that Kawhi Leonard misses the next 7 days; here are the games he would miss:

  • @ Portland
  • Vs. Memphis
  • @ Houston
  • @ New Orleans

Not exactly a murderer’s row of opponents. After that stretch, the LA Clippers have a four game stretch where they face the Suns, the Nuggets, the Raptors and the Lakers.

If we’re being real with ourselves, the LA Clippers will need Kawhi Leonard much more in that next stretch than they will in the immediate future. Paul George has been playing out of his mind lately and can help carry the team while Leonard rehabs the sore foot.

Related Story. Paul George is Recognized for his Performance. light

After this easy stretch of the season, the LA Clippers are going to start facing teams they’ll very possibly see in the playoffs. And while the Clips have an advantage they can exploit or a player they can expose against most of these teams, we still want to be at full strength when we see them.

Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers are being extra careful with Leonard’s sore foot, and it’s the smart move to make. PG and the other guys will hold the fort down while Leonard gets to full health, and then we’ll unleash him against the Western Playoff teams.

Next. 3 reasons Portland isn’t a threat in the first round. dark

If this were the playoffs, I’d expect Kawhi Leonard to be back very quickly. Since there is a stretch of poor opponents coming up, there’s no reason for the LA Clippers to rush him back.

Home/Clippers News