The Los Angeles Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery on his right knee in May, according to a recent report by Shams Charania of The Athletic. It is the same knee to which Leonard suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn meniscus in 2023.
Leonard was forced to miss the end of the 2023-24 regular NBA season and was limited to just two underwhelming games in the postseason due to right knee inflammation.
Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Clippers’ president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, said that Leonard is progressing well with recovering from knee issues, although he didn’t mention the reported surgery. According to Frank, Leonard will be limited in starting the training camp, but the franchise expects him to return to full form for the start of the season.
“We’ll have a detailed plan step by step kind of measure, just having objective measures to go from one phase to the next. But he’s super determined, super excited, and can’t wait to get started,” Frank added.
After missing the entire 2021-22 season and being limited to 52 games in 2022-23, Leonard was healthy for most of last season. He played 68 regular-season games, his most since 2016-17, while averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
After Leonard experienced right knee issues and underwent surgery in May, he was selected to the Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, it became obvious he wasn’t 100% ready and was sent home with Boston Celtics’ Derrick White taking his spot.
