It seems insane to describe a seven-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA honoree, seven-time All-Defensive selection, two-time NBA champion, and two-time NBA Finals MVP as falling short of his full potential. But that’s just how special Kawhi Leonard is.
Leonard, 34, has dealt with a multitude of injuries throughout his career with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Clippers. This season, Leonard has remained relatively healthy, starting 52 of the Clippers’ 67 games. But the injury bug bit him again on Saturday night.
Leonard had 31 points, six rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes before exiting in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury in the Clippers’ 118-109 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Before the injury, Leonard set a Clippers franchise record by extending his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 45 games.
After the game, the Clippers confirmed that Leonard suffered a sprained left ankle, as per The Athletic‘s Law Murray.
In November, Leonard missed 10 games with a sprained right ankle and a “significant” right foot sprain. Leonard also suffered from left ankle soreness last month.
As has been the story of his 14-year NBA career, when Leonard has been healthy, he’s been excellent this season. Last Wednesday, March 11, Los Angeles demolished the Minnesota Timberwolves 153-128 behind 45 points from Leonard.
The win put Los Angeles at 33-32 on the season, which made the Clippers the first team in league history to eclipse .500 after starting the season 15 games or more below .500 (via Bleacher Report). L.A. was 6-21 on Dec. 18. The Clippers are 34-33 after Saturday’s loss.
After the Clippers-Wolves game, Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards told reporters, “In all honesty, Kawhi may be one of the best players to ever play the game when he’s healthy. I think a lot of his peers feel the same way about him. If he’s healthy, 100%, ain’t no stopping Kawhi.”
Leonard is averaging 28.3 points (a career high), 6.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and two steals so far this season.
The Clippers need Leonard to make a playoff push entering their final 15 games of the regular season. As is, they sit as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, which would put them against the 39-28 Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament.
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