One of the best playoff performers of the last decade is set to make his return.
Los Angeles Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard has been made available for Game 2 of the first round series against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the team’s last nine games, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue announced on Tuesday.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported ahead of the game that Leonard participated in warm-ups with the team with the intention of suiting up. He was listed as a game-time decision.
The two-time Finals MVP has been dealing with knee inflammation and has been out since March 31, missing the team’s last eight regular season games and the opening game of their series.
They made it out just fine without Leonard in Game 1, coasting to a 109-97 win on Sunday behind 28 points from James Harden and 22 from Paul George.
“Progress has been made but the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said last Thursday. “We’re hopeful he’s going to get there.”
He had an injection in his knee earlier this month, The Athletic reported Thursday, citing unspecified league sources.
Leonard has participated in film sessions and reviews of the Mavs’ personnel, but he hasn’t been able to have any contact on the court, Frank said.
He played in 68 games this season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
Last season, Leonard played in the first game of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns before missing the final three games with a torn meniscus in his right knee.
In the 2021 playoffs, Leonard sprained his knee against Utah in the Western Conference semifinals. The Clippers beat the Jazz and advanced to the Conference finals for the first time, losing to Phoenix in six games.
He then missed all of the 2021-22 season after recovering from a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee.
Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks will tip off at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday.
