Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is coping with swelling in his proper knee, the group revealed Tuesday.
The information got here on the identical day that The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Leonard had undergone a knee “process” through the offseason.
Crew president Lawrence Frank instructed reporters that the swelling “considerably” decreased, however that Leonard might be saved out of drills throughout subsequent week’s coaching camp to ensure that him to be again at full power.
“It’s actually unlucky that he’s needed to cope with this, however we’re trending in the suitable route,” Frank stated, in response to the Los Angeles Occasions. “The purpose is to get him to 100% so he can have an ideal season, not simply this yr, however for a few years.”
Frank stated he wasn’t positive whether or not the Clippers star can be prepared for the beginning of this season.
“I believe that the timing’s all going to mainly depend upon how his knee responds to every section,” he stated, in accordance ESPN. “Nobody has a crystal ball.”
Leonard needed to sit out the final eight video games of the common season due to irritation in his proper knee and, whereas he did return for the playoffs, he was solely capable of play in Video games 2 and Recreation 3 of their first-round collection due to the problem.
The ahead did attend USA Basketball’s coaching camp in July earlier than USA Basketball in the end determined to take Derrick White to the Olympics rather than Leonard.
“We received the knee in a extremely, actually good place,” Frank stated on Tuesday. “[He came] again for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. However we actually, actually spent the offseason attempting to get this 100% and I believe we’re getting nearer and nearer.”
The Clippers’ season opener isn’t till Oct. 23 in opposition to the Suns at Los Angeles’ new enviornment, Intuit Dome.
Their first preseason recreation is slated to happen on Oct. 5 in opposition to the Warriors in Hawaii.
