Clippers: When can LAC expect Kawhi Leonard back after injury update?
By Josh Paredes
The LA Clippers might not have to wait a full NBA season before getting their superstar back. Since the partial tear of his ACL last July, Kawhi Leonard has been rehabbing to make a return to the court as soon as possible. Although tentative, there have been some recent updates as to when that might be.
Over the summer, SI’s Farbod Esnaasharijul spoke with a medical expert to analyze the severity of Leonard’s injury. On the optimistic end, Dr. Michael S. George targeted January or February as potential return dates if Leonard has a typical recovery schedule.
In a more recent update on Friday, Esnaasharijul gave more details on how the rehab has been going and whether or not a return to the court this season is still in play.
“As of right now, Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule with his ACL tear rehab,” he says. In the update, however, the timetable extends a bit past what the medical expert originally suggested. Still, for now, there’s still a chance Leonard could be returning just before playoff time.
“In the most ideal scenario, Leonard could return to practice around March-April,” says Esnaashari. Still, he admits that while league sources expect that sort of timeframe, it’s still simply too early to tell.
“When that available date comes, we’ll be ready for it, and it’ll be out in the public,” said Leonard during the Clippers’ Media Day.
While the Clippers organization is cautiously optimistic about Leonard being able to suit up this season, they’re understandably going to make 100% sure a setback isn’t likely before doing so. Considering the impact Leonard’s injuries have had in recent years, the last thing anyone needs is a re-aggravation.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on him to come back,” said Ramona Shelburne on ESPN’s The Jump. “But he even said the other day, ‘I don’t feel like I’m injured.’ That’s a good quote from Kawhi.”
While Leonard’s timetable will be based on doctors’ suggestions instead of how he feels physically, it’s still good to know the reports are positive and he’s ahead of schedule when it comes to making his return.
