Kawhi Leonard still battling inflammation, remains questionable

LOS ANGELES — LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard still has irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee, and his standing is questionable for Game 1 in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks.

Lawrence Frank, LA Clippers president of basketball operations, stated Leonard has but to undergo contact earlier than Thursday’s observe. Frank stated Leonard’s proper knee, which has undergone surgical procedures to restore a torn ACL and meniscus, is structurally “solid and intact” however that the Clippers franchise star is experiencing “some very, very stubborn inflammation.”

“He’s doing everything,” Frank stated of Leonard treating his knee. “Our medical staff is doing everything to get the inflammation down so he can play. Progress has been made, but more progress needs — the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements.”

Frank added, “There is no gamesmanship here and we’re very sensitive of the fact that questions are going to be asked and want to be as transparent as possible. It’s OK to say what the truth is. It’s unpredictable. We’re hoping it’s trending in the right direction. It’s a very accurate statement. When it gets to a point where he’s able to play, then that’s when he’ll be back on the court.”

Frank stated there’s still a few days earlier than Sunday’s Game 1 to get Leonard prepared for the beginning of the postseason. Leonard, although, has not performed in a sport since March 31 and missed the final eight video games of the common season.

“So in terms of based on where we’re heading, is it possible he could play?” Frank stated Thursday. “Sure, it’s possible. It’s Thursday. With each day we’ll know more and more.”

Asked whether or not Leonard had an injection to assist with irritation, Frank stated he wouldn’t go into any particulars about any particular therapies.

Frank stated Leonard has gone by means of all of the psychological parts of observe from movie research to personnel however had been stored out of the contact parts.

“Obviously if he’s not healthy to play at a certain moment then he won’t be out there,” Frank stated. “Since Kawhi’s tenure, when Kawhi is healthy, he plays. And some things you can’t control, regardless of how meticulous he is with his body and everything that goes into playing. You can only control what you can control and you kind of got to surrender to the things you can’t.

“We would by no means put Kawhi or anybody on the court docket if there’s grave threat or there’s threat for future damage. We’re hopeful that this irritation will get diminished and he’ll be again on the court docket as shortly as attainable. But you possibly can’t predict one thing that is unpredictable.”

Leonard underwent surgery in July 2021 to repair a torn ACL he suffered in his right knee during a second-round series against Utah. And then in June, Leonard underwent a cleanup procedure to repair a torn meniscus suffered in the same knee during last season’s first round against Phoenix.