In the process of creeping up from behind and coming back from double-figures against the Sacramento Kings, Kawhi Leonard got hurt in the fourth quarter. He immediately walked to the bench, following a defensive possession guarding DeMar DeRozan, then went to the locker room. Moments of anxiety passed, and soon, Leonard was ruled out with a sprained ankle. This is an injury he cannot afford to have with MVP recognition at stake, as there was already just a three-game cushion in his corner.
The Clippers say Kawhi Leonard has a sprained left ankle.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 15, 2026
While there is no official update on Leonard, fans should expect the LA Clippers to take his health with serious precaution in order to ensure he’s ready for the playoffs. LA needs him at his best, or else they are doomed in the stacked Western Conference.
Ultimately, on the realistic side of things, it’s more likely than not that he won’t meet the 65-game minimum set by the NBA.
Fans will be in pain if Kawhi Leonard ends up being disqualified
The fanbase of the LA Clippers has wanted Kawhi Leonard in the MVP discussion for as long as they can remember. He’s had great seasons, but none of them have been like the current one he’s having, which is shocking, considering he is 34 years old.
In 53 games, Leonard has recorded 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 50.1% from the floor and 37.8% from a distance. He’s also in the mix of a three-way tie for the top steals per game average at 2.0 on the dot, next to Tyrese Maxey and Cason Wallace.
In fact, Leonard is the only player averaging over 25 points, two steals, shooting above 50 percent from the floor, and ninety percent from the charity stripe in NBA history, with the exception of Stephen Curry’s unanimous campaign in 2016.
So far this season, the @LAClippers' Kawhi Leonard has put up:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) March 12, 2026
25.0+ points per game
2.00+ steals per game
50.0+ field-goal pct
90.0+ free-throw pct
The only player in NBA history to finish a season with those numbers was Stephen Curry during his 2015-16 unanimous MVP campaign. pic.twitter.com/BkpHmvFfS3
The two-time champion clearly deserves to be recognized, even if it’s the slightest bit, by being a finalist. However, fans are worried sick that he won’t receive it, because he must play 12 more of the Clippers’ remaining 15 games and is currently hurt.
Monday, before the Clippers take on the San Antonio Spurs, more information will likely be provided on Leonard’s health and whether he is on or off track in meeting the league’s requirements.
But if Leonard is out for longer than fans hope for, his case must serve as an example for the rules to be changed.