Culver City, California (AP) – Kawhi Leonard He had a clean-up on his right knee in early June and is expected to be ready to start Los Angeles ClippersTraining camp in late September.
The five-time All-Star, who turns 32 next week, had a torn meniscus in his knee, although his surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament was intact.
Lawrence Frank, president of Basketball Operations, said Leonard had the operation around June 6, after completing the NBA draft.
“It feels great,” Frank said. “It’s eight weeks of recovery from surgery so when you’re on the field playing in a match.”
Frank said Leonard would be “100%” ready for bootcamp.
Leonard played in Games 1 and 2 of the Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, but missed the next three games due to a knee injury. The Suns beat the Clippers in five games.
The team said Leonard sprained his right knee after the first two playoff games, but did not provide further details at the time. He had an MRI after the second game, which showed the tear.
Leonard missed the entire previous season while recovering from a torn ACL.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and six assists in his first two games against the Suns.