Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely with knee issue

At the team’s media day on Sept. 30, Leonard expressed optimism about being ready for the regular-season opener on Oct. 23. Based on ESPN’s report, there’s essentially no chance of that happening.

Leonard, who dealt with inflammation in his right knee at the end of last season and underwent surgery during the offseason, has yet to take part in contact drills and is working on strengthening the knee. He was ruled out for the remainder of preseason earlier this week.

“He has not been a part of what we’ve been doing on a daily basis,” Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw said after Wednesday’s practice. “I know the company line has been that we’re going to be patient with him, so he’s doing everything that he can to rehab it and strengthen that knee on his own with our medical staff. And we’re just dealing with the guys that we have [available].”

According to ESPN’s duo, the Clippers and Leonard are working together to find the best long-term solution to keep the two-time Finals MVP healthy. The team plans to be cautious with Leonard, who tore his right ACL in 2021 and then his right meniscus in 2023. He missed the entire 2021-22 season while recovering from the ACL injury.

A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, the 33-year-old remains a two-way force when active. He appeared in 68 games last season (34.3 MPG), averaging 23.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG and 0.9 BPG on .525/.417/.885 shooting. However, as previously mentioned, he was hampered by knee inflammation to end 2023-24, including in L.A.’s first-round playoff loss to Dallas.

Leonard was originally on USA Basketball’s roster for the 2024 Olympics in Paris over the summer, but he was replaced by Derrick White before the event began. Team USA claimed the gold medal after edging past Serbia and France in the semifinal and final, respectively.

With Leonard sidelined to open the season and Paul George departing for Philadelphia in free agency, the Clippers will have a difficult task in replacing their production, particularly on offense. They’ll need multiple players to step up, with offseason additions Derrick Jones Jr. and Nicolas Batum among the candidates for more playing time.

Leonard is under contract through 2026-27 after signing a three-year, $152M extension last season.