Report: Kawhi Leonard will miss the start of the season because he needs to rehab his right knee

• Get NBA League Pass TODAY >

The injury concerns continue for LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who will miss the start of the 2024-25 NBA season due to inflammation in his right knee. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Leonard is expected to be sidelined indefinitely while he undergoes the rehabilitation process.

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined indefinitely at the start of the NBA season as he rehabs inflammation in his right knee, league sources tell me @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/M5wFYIWGiv

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2024

Due to a right knee problem that was surgically repaired twice, Leonard was only able to play in two postseason games last season. Leonard’s absence proved costly as the Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs in six games by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

Leonard played in 68 games during the regular season, most of them as a Clipper, before missing the final eight games because of his knee. In January, he signed a three-year extension worth $52 million. But his health condition has limited his postseason availability for four years.

He did not play for the United States at the Paris Olympics and was replaced on the team in mid-July. USA Basketball concluded that it was in his best interest to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season, although the Clippers later said they had no problem with him playing in Paris. Leonard had been training with the US team in Las Vegas when he was replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. The USA then won the gold medal.

The Clippers open the regular season on October 23rd against the Phoenix Suns.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.