Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has had a challenging offseason as he continues to deal with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. This ongoing issue has led the team to implement a variety of treatments since last season to manage and mitigate the inflammation, which forced Leonard to miss crucial games. The Clippers' inability to place their star player on the court ultimately affected their performance, particularly in the playoffs.
Troubles in the Playoffs
The knee inflammation severely impacted Leonard during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks. Limited to just two games in the series, Leonard’s absence played a significant role in the Clippers' defeat against the Mavericks. As the inflammation persisted, Leonard’s participation was drastically reduced, and the Clippers found themselves exiting the playoffs earlier than anticipated.
Precautionary Measures for Training Camp
As the Clippers eye the upcoming season, extreme caution is being exercised in Leonard's training regimen. The decision has been made to hold Leonard out of drills in the upcoming training camp in an attempt to prevent a recurrence of knee inflammation. The team's focus has shifted to strengthening and loading Leonard’s knee to ensure it can handle the rigors of an NBA season.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations, shed light on the approach being taken: "We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position."
Progress and Setbacks
While the knee issue remains a concern, there have been signs of progress. Lawrence Frank revealed that although the situation has been tricky, the team is starting to see positive developments: "I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't. It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction."
Frank also touched on how Leonard had managed to reintegrate into the team during the playoffs, only to be hampered by inflammation once again: "We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer."
Uncertainty of Return
As of now, there is no confirmed timeline for Leonard’s return to regular-season action. His progress will largely depend on how his knee responds throughout the different phases of rehabilitation and training. "I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," Frank explained, emphasizing the uncertainty that still surrounds Leonard's recovery and readiness for the season.
Compounding these challenges was Leonard’s attempt to participate in training camp with USA Basketball despite his ongoing knee issues. Recognizing the need for him to focus on sustained rehabilitation, USA Basketball made the decision to replace Leonard with Derrick White, allowing him to prioritize his recovery with the Clippers.
The road ahead for Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers is shrouded in cautious optimism. While Leonard’s knee has shown signs of improvement, the team is taking meticulous care to ensure that the inflammation does not derail another season. As the Clippers gear up for training camp and the start of the new season, much of their success will hinge on the health and availability of their star player. For now, patience and prudence are the guiding principles for Leonard’s return to the court.