We finally know why Los Angeles Clippers’ superstar Kawhi Leonard only played two games in the first-round series versus the Phoenix Suns. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Leonard’s absence in the remainder of the series was due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Charania reports that Leonard’s injury was revealed after Game 2, prompting the Clippers’ medical staff to shut him down.
Kawhi Leonard delivered a pair of spectacular performances to begin the Suns’ series and even helped the LA team to steal Game 1 on the road. However, the 31-year-old player was ruled out for Game 3 on short notice and never returned to the court despite being designated “day-to-day.”
Without Leonard and already missing their second All-Star in Paul George, the LA Clippers couldn’t do much to keep up with the star-studded Suns. They lost the series in five games and are now heading to the offseason having a lot more questions than answers.
“It’s always in the back of your mind, ‘What if.’ It’s easy to say, ‘What if,’ because a lot of guys get hurt,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said after the Clippers lost Game 5. “It’s just been our luck the last three years.”
Kawhi Leonard previously missed the entire 2021-22 season while recovering from a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee. He played 52 games in the regular part of the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
