Kawhi Leonard, the star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, is reportedly close to making his return to the court, with a target date set for Saturday, January 4, against the Atlanta Hawks. After a long recovery from inflammation in his right knee, Leonard participated in practice for the first time this season on December 10. Although he has not yet been cleared for contact, the Clippers are optimistic about his imminent return.

Leonard's knee issues have significantly impacted his career, leading him to miss 210 out of a possible 467 games since joining the Clippers in 2019. He missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a torn ACL and withdrew from Team USA for the Paris Olympics last summer. Despite these setbacks, when healthy, Leonard is recognized as one of the premier two-way players in the league, boasting two NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and multiple All-Star selections.

The Clippers currently hold a 17-12 record, ranking seventh in the Western Conference. Leonard's return is expected to enhance their playoff prospects, complementing the contributions of veteran guards James Harden and Norman Powell during his absence.