The Los Angeles Clippers are one of the most recent teams to be knocked out in the first round. However, the organization may have more immediate concerns. Despite playing in Games One and Two, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed the remainder of the series. Without Kawhi and Paul George, their two stars, Los Angeles is overtaken by the newly constructed super team the Phoenix Suns. However, with Kawhi Leonard’s latest (meniscus tear) diagnosis, the organization may have to do some soul-searching.
Kawhi Leonard suffered a torn meniscus in the series against Phoenix
Kawhi Leonard season
Despite accusations of load management and nagging knee injuries, Kawhi Leonard is always a star on the court when he plays. This year was no exception. He had a career year from the three-point zone shooting 41.6 percent from outside the arc.
In addition, the former Finals MVP averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 total rebounds per game, and a free throw shooting percentage of 87.1%. He also possessed a hard box plus/minus rating of +6.1 and a top real shooting percentage of 62.3 percent, another career best for a two-time champion. Despite only playing 52 games this season, Kawhi Leonard was still the best player on the field with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, knee injuries were starting to become more and more worrying.
Long and ugly history with injuries
This is not the first time that Kawhi has had problems with his knees. He missed the entirety of last season due to ACL surgery. Leonard also suffered a knee injury the last time he participated in the postseason in the 2021 playoffs. That season, Los Angeles reached the Western Conference Finals where they were defeated by the Phoenix Suns. Even before his tenure in Los Angeles, Leonard’s knees were the cause of much discussion before he made his way out of San Antonio, which led to his one-year hiatus with the Toronto Raptors.
It was arguably the greatest one-year lease in NBA history as the former Defensive Player of the Year led the Raptors to their only title in franchise history. As a result, this solidified his status as one of the best stars in the NBA, despite the load management scenario. However, the Clippers haven’t reaped the same rewards as the Spurs and Raptors. With knee injuries so prevalent, it’s hard to predict the futures of both LA and Kawhi Leonard right now.