Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
After helping the Los Angeles Clippers snap a three-game losing skid, Kawhi Leonard commented on Darius Garland‘s upcoming debut on Monday night. The Clippers are playing the second game of a back-to-back against the Golden State Warriors.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Garland has been cleared to play on Monday at the Chase Center. He has missed the last 10 games since the Clippers acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for James Harden at the trade deadline.
Garland has been dealing with a left toe injury since last season. He underwent surgery on that same toe in the offseason after he was hampered by it during the Cavs’ failed playoff run. He has not played since January 14, when he re-aggravated his injury against the Philadelphia 76ers.
In total, Garland has missed the last 19 games and a total of 35 this season. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists on 45.1% shooting from the field.
Leonard Reacts to Garland’s Upcoming Debut
It’s rare to see Leonard excited, but that’s exactly what the two-time NBA champion was feeling after the Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 137-117. He led the way with 23 points, three rebounds and five assists, while Jordan Miller scored 19 points off the bench.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Leonard expressed his feelings about Garland’s upcoming debut.
“Very excited,” Leonard said, via Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. “He’s happy to get back to play. We are all excited to see what he can contribute to us on the floor. It’s going to take some time to get his normal minutes back, but we’re happy to see him out there.”
Leonard knows a thing or two about recovering from injuries. His prime has been riddled by multiple knee issues, though he has had a resurgent campaign. He’s averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
Leonard’s Clippers Future in Doubt
The Clippers seemingly signaled their intent to rebuild by trading Harden and Ivica Zubac. They received Garland from the Cavaliers, while Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round pick arrived from the Indiana Pacers.
Garland is a two-time All-Star and is only 26 years old. Mathurin is an explosive scorer at 23, while Jackson is a capable big man once he gets his rhythm back after an Achilles tear injury.
NBA insider Jake Fischer opined last week in a piece on Marc Stein’s The Stein Line that executives around the league expect the Clippers to move on from Leonard in the offseason.
“I think that (Zubac) trade might have been the most consequential deal of the deadline,” Fischer wrote. “It all but ended a Clippers era when combined with the James Harden-to-Cleveland trade before it and has plenty of rival executives wondering if Kawhi Leonard’s time there could come to an end this summer via yet another trade.”
Fischer added that the upcoming release of the findings of the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Leonard’s alleged salary cap circumvention would be the final nail in the coffin of the Kawhi Era in Clippers land.