Kawhi leonard

Kawhi Leonard couldn’t be on the court Thursday night when the Clippers opened the season against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, but the man was neither out of sight nor out of mind. On the contrary: A couple of hours before tip-off, the two-time NBA Finals MVP was, not surprisingly, part of the league’s much-anticipated reveal, included among 11 active players named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. A two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard was voted a part of the prestigious collection of talent across eras, a grouping of the “75 Greatest Players” without regard to position. The list was voted on by a panel of current and former NBA players, coaches, general managers and team and league executives, as well as WNBA legends, sportswriters and broadcasters. Leonard – who is sidelined indefinitely while he rehabs following July 13 surgery to repair his torn right anterior cruciate ligament – was the 15th overall draft pick out of San Diego State in 2011. In 576 games through 10 NBA seasons the stoic, 6-foot-7 small forward has piled up accolades that also include five All-Star Game appearances and one All-Star Game MVP. He’s made an All-NBA team five times, and an NBA All-Defensive team seven times. And he was the league’s steals leader in 2014-15, when he had 148 of his 1,013 career takeaways (compared to 933 turnovers). His career averages thus far: 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals. “I just talked to Ka...

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the second half of Monday’s Game 4. Photograph: Gary A Vasquez/USA Today Sports Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the second half of Monday’s Game 4. Photograph: Gary A Vasquez/USA Today Sports Read more Sportsbooks scurried to adjust odds early Wednesday, sliding the Jazz from three-point favorites to seven-point home favorites with Leonard out. ESPN reported Leonard’s status for the remainder of the best-of-seven series is very much in doubt. It is a massive blow for the Clippers, who have split the first four games of their series with the top-seeded Jazz and are trying to reach the West finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard is a two-time 🙏🏾 to the 🖐🏾Klaw— LeBron James (@KingJames) The Clippers were 11-9 without Leonard during the regular season. They’re 6-1 so far in the playoffs when he scores at least 28 points, 0-4 otherwise. Leonard can opt out of his current contract and return to free agency at the end of the season. There is precedent for an All-NBA type of talent reaching a contract year and receiving maximum value. The Nets pulled off a sign-and-trade to get Kevin Durant from the Golden State Warriors in July 2019 despite a ruptured achilles. He signed a four-year, $164.25m deal – the max contract under NBA rules at the time – and did not play in...

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HOUSTON— The big mystery Monday night surrounding the Leonard joined the Clippers on their two-game trip that started with a After six of his players scored in double figures and his reserves extended a lead in the fourth quarter, allowing his starters to rest for all of the final 12 minutes, Clippers coach The forward, who underwent reconstructive surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last year, is experiencing stiffness in the knee. He has not played since Oct. 23. The answer wasn’t a yes or a no when Lue was asked about Leonard being available at Dallas. In fact, the coach didn’t reveal much. “No, I don’t know,” Lue said. The answer raised eyebrows, so Lue was asked again. “No, I don’t know,” Lue said. “... Yeah, yeah, I don’t know. I’m always going to tell you the truth.” Lue was forthcoming about the Clippers’ The Clippers didn’t need Wall on Monday, as they built a 16-point, third-quarter lead and extended it to 24 in the fourth. (Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press) “We had to finish the game the right way [and gave] our starters some rest,” Lue said. “Like I said, having it back to back tomorrow against Dallas, it’s always a tough opponent. I thought our second unit did a great job of just playing the right way, getting some stops, running the offense, getting in some sets, and so when they was able to finish a game like that, I really feel good about the way they played.” The Clippers’ George finished with 22 points, adding eight r...

Here are five storylines to watch as When, or will, Kawhi Leonard play this season? The All-NBA forward wants to play. He said as much in September when he revealed that his hope to Surgeons and trainers experienced in such recoveries contend that though quicker recoveries are not uncommon, players typically are ready to return anywhere from nine months to one year, a timetable whose early end following a July surgery would fall right as the postseason begins. That’s a demanding transition to get acclimated for playoff basketball, even for someone of Leonard’s caliber. Of course, any such discussion comes with a caveat as big as Leonard’s pair of Finals MVP trophies: His injury history suggests he will operate on his timeline alone. The season could break for the Clippers in such a way that suiting up isn’t deemed worth the try. But if by early spring the Clippers are carrying momentum into the postseason, a return by Leonard would present a fascinating wrinkle for potential playoff opponents to account for and could force a reexamination of who the West’s contenders really are. How strong can this defense be? In his defensive prime, Leonard covered more earth than water, and his smothering effort against Luka Doncic in the postseason proved that 10 years into his career he could still shut down one of the game’s most gifted players. Clippers lineups featuring Leonard allowed 110.9 points per 100 possessions last season, a defensive rating equivalent to a top-six defense, ...

Kawhi Leonard is back. After missing 12 straight games with soreness in his right knee, the five-time All-Star returned in LA's 96-91 victory over Detroit on Thursday. The Clippers improved to 9-7 with the win while the Pistons fell to 3-13. How did Leonard play in his return from injury? Let's take a closer look. MORE: How did Kawhi Leonard look in his return from injury? LA's matchup with Detroit marked Leonard's third game of the 2022-23 season and his first since Oct. 23. Leonard came off the bench in his previous two games, but he started against the Pistons and played a season-high 24 minutes. While he did a little bit of everything to the tune of six points, five rebounds and four assists, he showed some rust by shooting 2-for-8 from the field, 0-for-3 from the 3-point line and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Leonard still had a few vintage plays, such as this fadeaway over Pistons guard Killian Hayes in the first quarter: Every 👏 time 👏 He also had this strong finish down the stretch: KAWHI. The Clippers outscored the Pistons by 26 points in Leonard's minutes on the court, giving him the highest plus-minus of the game. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue What Kawhi Leonard's return means for Clippers Both Leonard and the Clippers continue to preach patience. After the game, Leonard talked about how it's still going to take a while to fully recover from the ACL injury that sidelined him all of last season. “This is the easy part now because I’m able to get in the game ...

That season turned into one to remember for Raptors fans, as Kawhi Leonard helped lead them to a hard-fought NBA Championship. Unfortunately, shortly after raising a banner, Leonard left the Raptors to join the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency but has been unable to replicate the success he had north of the border. Kawhi Leonard ended that playoff run with averages of 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, shooting 49% from the field and 37.9% from deep over 24 postseason appearances. Stephen A Smith labeled Kawhi Leonard as unreliable During an April 21 episode of ESPN'S First Take, Stephen A. Smith made his feelings on Kawhi Leonard abundantly clear. "But when you talk about a superstar that is unreliable, I want somebody to point me out somebody more flagrant than him. You're load-managing him all through the season. He takes every perk imaginable." Since joining the Los Angeles Clippers, Kawhi Leonard has struggled with injury, never breaking the 60-game mark for the California-based team. Furthermore, Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 NBA season due to an ACL injury and only participated in two games for the Clippers during the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. When healthy, Leonard is among the best players in the NBA and is clearly an All-NBA-level talent. However, should he continue to struggle for fitness, he may find himself looking for a new team, as the Clippers continue to search for a winning formula that will help them win the championship. Leonard will...

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the second half of Monday’s Game 4. Photograph: Gary A Vasquez/USA Today Sports Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the second half of Monday’s Game 4. Photograph: Gary A Vasquez/USA Today Sports Read more Sportsbooks scurried to adjust odds early Wednesday, sliding the Jazz from three-point favorites to seven-point home favorites with Leonard out. ESPN reported Leonard’s status for the remainder of the best-of-seven series is very much in doubt. It is a massive blow for the Clippers, who have split the first four games of their series with the top-seeded Jazz and are trying to reach the West finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard is a two-time 🙏🏾 to the 🖐🏾Klaw— LeBron James (@KingJames) The Clippers were 11-9 without Leonard during the regular season. They’re 6-1 so far in the playoffs when he scores at least 28 points, 0-4 otherwise. Leonard can opt out of his current contract and return to free agency at the end of the season. There is precedent for an All-NBA type of talent reaching a contract year and receiving maximum value. The Nets pulled off a sign-and-trade to get Kevin Durant from the Golden State Warriors in July 2019 despite a ruptured achilles. He signed a four-year, $164.25m deal – the max contract under NBA rules at the time – and did not play in...

Here are five storylines to watch as When, or will, Kawhi Leonard play this season? The All-NBA forward wants to play. He said as much in September when he revealed that his hope to Surgeons and trainers experienced in such recoveries contend that though quicker recoveries are not uncommon, players typically are ready to return anywhere from nine months to one year, a timetable whose early end following a July surgery would fall right as the postseason begins. That’s a demanding transition to get acclimated for playoff basketball, even for someone of Leonard’s caliber. Of course, any such discussion comes with a caveat as big as Leonard’s pair of Finals MVP trophies: His injury history suggests he will operate on his timeline alone. The season could break for the Clippers in such a way that suiting up isn’t deemed worth the try. But if by early spring the Clippers are carrying momentum into the postseason, a return by Leonard would present a fascinating wrinkle for potential playoff opponents to account for and could force a reexamination of who the West’s contenders really are. How strong can this defense be? In his defensive prime, Leonard covered more earth than water, and his smothering effort against Luka Doncic in the postseason proved that 10 years into his career he could still shut down one of the game’s most gifted players. Clippers lineups featuring Leonard allowed 110.9 points per 100 possessions last season, a defensive rating equivalent to a top-six defense, ...

Kawhi Leonard is back. After missing 12 straight games with soreness in his right knee, the five-time All-Star returned in LA's 96-91 victory over Detroit on Thursday. The Clippers improved to 9-7 with the win while the Pistons fell to 3-13. How did Leonard play in his return from injury? Let's take a closer look. MORE: How did Kawhi Leonard look in his return from injury? LA's matchup with Detroit marked Leonard's third game of the 2022-23 season and his first since Oct. 23. Leonard came off the bench in his previous two games, but he started against the Pistons and played a season-high 24 minutes. While he did a little bit of everything to the tune of six points, five rebounds and four assists, he showed some rust by shooting 2-for-8 from the field, 0-for-3 from the 3-point line and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Leonard still had a few vintage plays, such as this fadeaway over Pistons guard Killian Hayes in the first quarter: Every 👏 time 👏 He also had this strong finish down the stretch: KAWHI. The Clippers outscored the Pistons by 26 points in Leonard's minutes on the court, giving him the highest plus-minus of the game. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue What Kawhi Leonard's return means for Clippers Both Leonard and the Clippers continue to preach patience. After the game, Leonard talked about how it's still going to take a while to fully recover from the ACL injury that sidelined him all of last season. “This is the easy part now because I’m able to get in the game ...