Kawhi Leonard took a significant step towards his return for the Clippers
Recently, LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue told the media that the two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard played five-on-five before the team practice. This is terrific news as the Clippers have been on a roll as of late. Adding Leonard in the lineup would push the team back into the top of the Western Conference.
Moreover, Leonard has missed 10 games so far this season after being sidelined all of last year due to a partially torn ACL. In the two games Leonard played this season, he came off the bench before being ruled out indefinitely with knee stiffness.
Furthermore, the five-time all-star will be out again Saturday as the Clippers take on the star-powered Brooklyn Nets. However, Leonard practicing is a major step in the right direction.
Kawhi Leonard went through 5-on-5 this morning before the team’s practice and is progressing. He will not play tomorrow against the Nets but Ty Lue says Kawhi is getting closer to a return. Lue made it sound like Kawhi still has a little bit more to go before returning.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) November 11, 2022
Once Kawhi Leonard fully recovers, no team stands a chance against the LA Clippers.
Generally speaking, Kawhi Leonard is, without a doubt, the best player on the LA Clippers. For Lue to have a legitimate shot at making a title run, the team will need Leonard to be fully healthy. Especially in the postseason, Leonard’s contributions will be much needed next to the superstar talents of Paul George.
In addition, Leonard was expected to be fully healthy entering the season. As a result, the Clippers were pegged as a preseason favorite to win the title. Despite the troubles early in the year, Leonard’s return is highly anticipated.
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Nonetheless, the LA Clippers have not looked the same without their best player. Yet, they still sit at the sixth seed with a 7-5 record in a loaded western conference. During the two games Leonard did play, he averaged 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in only 21 minutes per game. Once his minute restriction is removed, the LA Clippers will be a tough team to beat.