The Los Angeles Clippers will start the regular season without their star player, Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with inflammation in his right knee. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Leonard is not expected to play in the season opener against the Phoenix Suns on October 23.
Leonard and the team are following a rehabilitation program aimed at ensuring his long-term health and sustainability. He has not participated in any preseason games or on-court contact activities.
The 33-year-old forward has struggled with knee issues since last season, experiencing inflammation that caused him to miss the last eight games of the regular season. He also sat out four of six games during the Clippers’ first-round playoff exit against the Dallas Mavericks.
Although Leonard had committed to play for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, he was sent home after only a few practices.
Leonard previously suffered a partial ACL tear during the 2021 playoffs, which led to him missing the entire 2021-22 season. He managed to play in 52 regular-season games in 2022-23 but tore his right meniscus during the playoffs. Last season, he participated in 68 regular-season games, his highest total since the 2016-17 season, before facing knee issues again.
