Injury Notes: Kawhi, Vassell, Sharpe, Huerter, Grizzlies, Livers

Hair clippers forward Kawhi Leonard won't make his season debut anytime soon, ESPN's Shams Charania said during Wednesday's episode of NBA Today (Twitter video link). According to Charania, Leonard's absence will be measured in weeks, not days.

“I was told that Kawhi Leonard will be out for weeks” Charania said. “This is not an injury that might be measured in a week (or possibly two weeks). Apparently not days. The Clippers will have to start this season without him for an extended period of time.”

Leonard struggled with inflammation in his right knee at the end of the 2023/24 season, which flared up again in the summer. While it's obviously problematic that he's not ready for the start of the season, Charania indicated that there's optimism that the two-time Finals MVP won't be on the roster once he's back on the court.

“I'm told they feel like they have a plan and a protocol in place that will allow him to actually continue his play on the court when he's ready to return.” Charania said.

Here are a few more injury updates from across the NBA:

• Spurs guard Devin Vassell He still hasn't been cleared for contact, but the team remains confident he can return from foot surgery sometime in early November, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Vassell is scheduled to be reevaluated on November 1st.
• Shaedon Sharpe is making good progress in his return from a torn labrum in his left shoulder, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report (Substack link). Trailblazer The guard has been cleared for non-contact basketball activities and is shooting and completing ball-handling drills in practice. A return in early to mid-November still seems realistic, adds Highkin.
• Kings wing Kevin Huerterwho missed the preseason and hasn't played since March 18 due to shoulder surgery, will be eligible to play against Minnesota on Thursday, FOX 40 Sacramento's Sean Cunningham tweets. Head coach Mike Brown He previously told reporters that Huerter would “probably start” if he was ready to start Thursday's regular-season opener.
• The most injury-plagued team in the NBA last season, that Grizzlies will open the 2024/25 season with five players sidelined. The team has officially confirmed this (via Twitter). GG Jackson II (Foot), Jaren Jackson Jr. (paralyze), Luke Kennard (Foot), Cam Spencer (ankle) and Vince Williams (Leg) are all unavailable for Wednesday's regular season opener at Utah.
• Free agent forward Isaiah Livers announced on Instagram that he underwent hip resurfacing surgery last Friday after playing through a hip injury the last two seasons (hat tip to Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press). It's unclear how long the recovery process will take, but it's safe to assume Livers won't be an option for an NBA team at least sometime in 2025.