Clippers News: Kawhi Leonard’s game status in season opener is in trouble

The Los Angeles Clippers may have to prepare for the reality of being without star forward Kawhi Leonard for their season opener. Leonard is dealing with a nagging knee injury and his playing status is in question.

NBA insider Ohm Youngmisuk reports that it is doubtful whether the Clippers star will take the court.

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue remained fairly calm and continued to say that he was unsure about Leonard’s status.

This would be a huge loss for the Clippers at the start of the new season. They’ve already lost star forward Paul George during free agency, leaving just Leonard and co-star James Harden in charge.

Leonard should give this team a huge boost next year, but his injury history is extremely concerning. He played in the preseason, but his status on opening night was a big topic of conversation within the organization.

“I feel good,” Leonard said at halftime of the Clippers’ 91-90 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. “I just took time to get stronger and prepare.

“…We’re just going to take it slow, day by day, and just try to get me back on the floor. Once those conversations come, we’ll see what they talk about.” [on the best approach for back-to-backs].”

Leonard was supposed to be healthy this season, but his injuries appear to continue to impact his availability. Last season he played 68 games, the most he has appeared in since the 2016/17 season.

On the floor, Leonard was very effective for the Clippers. He averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Los Angeles may need to figure something out regarding Leonard since they can’t continue to count on him throughout the various seasons. Even last season, when Leonard was healthy for most of the year, he still missed four of his six playoff games.

The Clippers were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by the Dallas Mavericks, due in part to Leonard not playing. This season opener news is worrisome to say the least, but Los Angeles must move on.

The team opens the regular season at home against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23 and will likely unveil its new arena without its star forward.

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