LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) could be a Golden State Warriors trade target.
Getty
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) could be a Golden State Warriors trade target.
Heading into the March 1 battle against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Clippers have been hit with some positive news on the injury front.
For starters, the veteran star Kawhi Leonard has been removed from the injury report. Barring any unexpected setbacks, Leonard will be on pace to place to play the Pelicans on Sunday night.
As the Clippers closed out February, they gathered for a Saturday afternoon practice to prepare for the Pels. Leonard was not a part of the action. The star forward was dealing with an illness, giving him a second injury designation for the week.
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While Leonard was out for the practice session, the Clippers don’t plan to keep him out. It seems the ankle injury is no longer bothering him as well, which is a major boost for LA, who is attempting to maintain a spot in the league’s Play-In Tournament at the end of the season.
Leonard missed the Clippers’ recent matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 26. Without him, the Clippers came up short, taking on a 94-88 loss.
Before that, Leonard appeared in 14-straight games. They were amid a two-game skid before he went out.
The Latest On Darius Garland
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland
GettyDarius Garland during his Cleveland Cavaliers tenure.
Clippers fans are still waiting patiently for the debut of Darius Garland.
If all goes right, Garland will suit up for the first time this upcoming week.
According to the NBA Insider, Chris Haynes, Garland is planning to make his season debut on Monday, March 2, when the Clippers take on the Golden State Warriors.
Chris Haynes
Sources: All-Star guard Darius Garland (toe) — who hasn’t played since Jan. 14 — plans to make his season-debut for the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday when they play the Golden State Warriors.
The last time Garland took the court was on January 14. At the time, Garland was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He checked in for 23 minutes. The veteran guard shot 8-13 from the field to score 20 points. He also dished out seven assists.
Injuries have affected Garland all year. While he was out for the Cavs for a long stretch, they attempted to trade for the 11-time All-Star, James Harden. Days before the trade deadline, the Cavaliers were successful in doing so. Garland was the headliner in the returning package for Los Angeles.
In 26 games this season, Garland has shot 45% from the field, while averaging 18.0 points per game. Beyond scoring, the veteran guard produced 6.9 assists per game and nearly one steal on the defensive end.
Related Clippers Story: Darius Garland Update Delivers Excitement for Clippers Fans
At this point of the year, the Clippers are holding the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a 27-31 record. They are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Facing the 19-42 Pelicans on Sunday, the Clippers are far from guaranteed to climb out of their slump.
Heading into the clash, the Pelicans are heating up with a four-game winning streak. The return of Leonard should be a great boost for Los Angeles. And soon they will get an extended first-look at Garland, too.