The LA Clippers have ruled Kawhi Leonard out of Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Golden State Warriors in Inglewood, California, opting to rest the All-Star forward before next week’s play-in tournament.
Head coach Tyronn Lue said Leonard has been managing soreness in his right wrist and left ankle for the past two weeks. “We just thought it would be smart to get him as close to 100% as we can,” Lue told reporters before tipoff.
Leonard, 34, completed his healthiest campaign since joining the Clippers, appearing in 65 games and averaging a career-best 27.9 points along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He played 68 games during the 2023-24 season but was limited to 37 the following year because of injuries.
Sitting out Game 82 halts Leonard’s franchise-record streak of 57 straight regular-season contests with at least 20 points, leaving him tied with Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo for the longest run in team history.
The forward’s absence will not impact his postseason awards eligibility; Friday’s appearance secured his 65th game, the league minimum for honors such as All-NBA.
Golden State, led by Stephen Curry, has already locked up the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and could meet Los Angeles again in the play-in round.
Source: ESPN
