NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard is nowhere near returning to Clippers due to injury | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

After missing the Los Angeles Clippers' season-opening loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, superstar forward Kawhi Leonard is reportedly not expected to be eligible to play soon.

Speech on Thursday First recordingESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said this about Leonard's status:

“Kawhi is actually recovering from a serious injury. He underwent surgery in the offseason. He's not not playing at the moment because he's protecting his knees. He's not playing right now because he's recovering from surgery, but I understand why that's hard to understand.” Calculate because he had surgery in May and then tried to play for Team USA in June. And Team USA took one look at him and said, “You can't play, you're not ready to play.” And he hasn't played since. And he's not even close to coming back.

Before the season began, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard “is expected to be sidelined indefinitely” as he rehabs inflammation in his right knee.

With Leonard expected to be out for an extended period of time, the Clippers will likely continue to lean on players like James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac on offense.

Leonard played in 68 games last season, the most since his final year with the San Antonio Spurs, when he appeared in 74 games. His luck with injuries from the regular season did not follow him into the playoffs, as he played only two games in the postseason due to a knee injury.

Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game last season, remaining consistent in his 12th NBA season.

After Paul George's departure to the Philadelphia 76ers last offseason, it became clear that Leonard would have to carry the load and be the Clippers' go-to guy in 2024-25.

That role instead belongs to Harden with Leonard on the roster, and it's fair to wonder whether the Clippers can truly compete for a playoff spot if Kawhi doesn't return in the relatively near future.