The Clippers began the season without Kawhi Leonard, a familiar but unwelcome sight for fans. A solid start, however, allowed the franchise to take its time working the veteran back into the fold.
The Clippers have remained steady in the Western Conference playoff picture despite plenty of talented teams around them, with Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac stepping up next to a refreshed James Harden. LA hopes Leonard can get back on the court soon and help the team find a new gear.
How much time will Leonard miss and what does it mean for the Clippers? Here is the latest on his recovery.
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What is Kawhi Leonard’s injury?
Leonard is dealing with inflammation in his right knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Ohm Youngmisuk. Leonard’s designation on the NBA’s official injury report is “right knee injury management.”
The issue plagued Leonard to close the 2023-24 season, limited him during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, prevented him from playing in the Olympics and kept him from participating during training camp and the preseason.
Leonard last played in an NBA game on April 26, 2024, Game 3 of LA’s first-round playoff loss to Dallas.
Before the injury setback, the 2023-24 season was a big one for Leonard. Over 68 games, he averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range.
How long is Kawhi Leonard out?
Leonard is targeting a return date of Jan. 4 against the Hawks, The Athletic’s Law Murray reported.
There is indeed a target date for Kawhi Leonard: Saturday, January 4 at Intuit Dome, when LA Clippers host Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic
— Law Murray ⚛️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) December 28, 2024
In late December, Leonard posted a video in collaboration with New Balance on his YouTube channel teasing his return titled, “Kawhi Leonard The Return.”
“There’s been good days, there’s been bad days, but I keep coming back,” Leonard said.
Leonard was reported by Shams Charania to be “out indefinitely” at the start of the season, measured in weeks rather than days, and his absence ultimately lasted multiple months.
Updates on Leonard’s recovery were initially limited, but he started appearing at practice in December and ramping up in anticipation of a potential return.
LA Clippers upcoming schedule 2024
The Clippers will go on the road to Minnesota and Denver after facing the Hawks on Jan. 4, but they don’t play a back-to-back until Jan. 15 and 16.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 31 | at Spurs | 7 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 2 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 4 | vs. Hawks | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Jan. 6 | at Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | — |
| Jan. 8 | at Nuggets | 9 p.m. | — |
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