The first observation about this LA Clippers team that has become obvious is that they need Kawhi Leonard to win. Ever since the Clippers’ medical staff listed him as out with a high ankle sprain, they have not won. In a devastating turn, the losing streak they are in could hit the lowest of all lows in the Tyronn Lue era, as Leonard has a foot injury, on top of an ankle injury, that could keep him on the sidelines for a while.
Lawrence Frank says Kawhi Leonard didn’t just sprain his ankle but also suffered a significant foot sprain.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) November 13, 2025
He’s making good progress and will go on the road trip but the Clippers will have a better feel on his availability next week.
Being .500 with a team as talented as the Clippers is no accomplishment, but that is much better than 3-8. Their 3-3 record was all with Leonard on the court, where he averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, shooting 50.5% from the field and 40.0% from a distance.
That said, the team’s adversity could worsen starting tomorrow, and despite the two-time champion being present, his expected return date remains unknown.
The LA Clippers’ record could drop from bad to worse after their upcoming road trip
In the past, the LA Clippers have ended stretches of games away from home with excellent results. Last season, in March, they played the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic, and came back to the Intuit Dome with a 3-1 record.
But the key, then and now, is timing, and when LA left for its late-March journey, the team was rolling, with a 40-31 record. That is one of the primary reasons everything looked so easy, and how the team was able to make their adversity feel like nothing.
Currently, the Clippers are struggling, frustration is everywhere, and no one has a clue when the face of the franchise will come back, after everyone thought he had just suffered a sprained ankle, yet it was also a sprained foot.
Moreover, in Joey Linn’s report on X(formerly Twitter), he added that Leonard will be traveling with the team. This means the coaching staff is hopeful that he will begin playing at some point, hopefully earlier rather than later.
Nevertheless, Clippers fans should be terrified by the update revealed by Lawrence Frank. Six games in, and Leonard is already out of a notable number of games. This is not a good sign, as LA needs him now more than ever. Though he is progressing, there is no timetable, and unfortunately, James Harden will be forced to carry the extra luggage for the foreseeable future.