Skip Bayless of FS1 informed that Kawhi Leonard will not be back this year

Skip Bayless of FS1 was told that LA Clippers‘ superstar Kawhi Leonard will not be playing basketball this season.

Leonard has been dealing with a partial ACL tear he suffered in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals last season against the Utah Jazz. He received surgery over the summer, and the hope was that he’d be able to be back and 100% by the time the playoffs started.

Of course, this is by no means official, and the Clippers haven’t backed up Skip’s report. It would be troubling, however, if this is true. The Clippers have overcome some early struggles in the first few games and look like the playoff team they were supposed to be this season.

If they battle to get there and Kawhi can’t play, it could be a very uphill climb to win the trophy.

Kawhi Leonard superfan Skip Bayless says that this decision was primarily made by the LA Clippers.

“It was more of the Clippers’ choice. They just said ‘Let’s shut it down for the rest of the year,'” said Skip Bayless about Kawhi Leonard.

He adds that Leonard will, however, be back by next October. Bayless, who has been very optimistic about the Clippers and their chances ever since Leonard came over, will likely have them as the title favorites for 2022-2023.

If Leonard truly doesn’t make it back this season, the Clippers will still have a chance to win the title this year. They were tied 2-2 with the Jazz in the Conference Semis last year when Kawhi went down and went 2-0 to enter the WCF and force six games against the Phoenix Suns.

Paul George is having a Leonard-like season so far, as well, averaging 27 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game this year while shooting 46.4/35.8/87.8. The hope is that he can lead this team to a title in Leonard’s absence.