Kawhi Leonard is aiming to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Atlanta Hawks on January 4, as reported by The Athletic's Law Murray. After participating in full-contact 5-on-5 practices since December 18, the team is cautious about his return and wants him to engage in more scrimmages. Coach Tyronn Lue indicated that Leonard will not join the team on their upcoming road trip, which includes games against the New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder, due to a lack of practice time. Instead, he will train with the San Diego Clippers, the team's G League affiliate.
Leonard has been sidelined for the first 34 games of the season due to inflammation in his right knee. Lue emphasized the importance of Leonard participating in additional 5-on-5 sessions to ensure his readiness for a return. The Clippers have been managing Leonard's recovery carefully, especially after he missed the end of last season due to similar knee issues. The medical staff, along with team president Lawrence Frank, is focused on preventing a recurrence of these problems.
Currently, the Clippers hold an 18-13 record and stand fifth in the Western Conference, boasting the fourth-best defense in the NBA, although their offense ranks 23rd. James Harden, who has seen an increase in his usage rate, expressed confidence that Leonard's return won't disrupt the team's chemistry. He believes that their aggressiveness will remain intact, adding that Leonard's presence will be an additional asset on both ends of the court. In the 2023-24 season, Leonard averaged 23.7 points with impressive shooting efficiency, contributing significantly to the Clippers' performance.
