Kawhi Leonard Sidelined with Knee Injury, Clippers Await Reassessment Back in L.A.
The Clippers' five-game win streak just hit a speed bump.
Kawhi Leonard, the driving force behind that stretch, will miss the final two games of the team's current road trip due to a left knee contusion that’s causing irritation. The team confirmed that Leonard will return to Los Angeles for treatment and will be reevaluated once the road trip concludes.
This isn’t just a rotation tweak - Leonard has been the Clippers' go-to scorer over this recent surge, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. His absence leaves a significant void, especially with the team looking to keep momentum rolling on the road.
The Clippers are coming off a gritty 121-117 overtime win against the Raptors on Friday, a game that showcased their resilience and depth. But with matchups against the Wizards and Bulls looming, the challenge now becomes sustaining that level of play without their star forward.
Leonard’s availability has always been a storyline - whether due to load management or injury setbacks - and once again, it’s become a talking point among fans. Social media lit up with a mix of frustration, sarcasm, and resignation after news of his injury broke. Some fans vented about the timing, others joked about All-Star Weekend appearances, and a few even called for the Clippers to move on from him altogether.
But here’s the reality: when Kawhi is healthy, he’s still one of the best two-way players in the league. The Clippers know that. That’s why they’ll be cautious with his recovery, especially as the postseason picture starts to take shape.
Legal Dispute Surrounding Ballmer and Leonard Draws Attention
Off the court, there’s another storyline unfolding - one that has little to do with basketball, but plenty to do with headlines.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed last summer by 11 investors in a now-defunct green banking company, Aspiration. The lawsuit alleges that Ballmer funneled money to Leonard through the company in an attempt to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap rules - a claim Ballmer’s legal team strongly denies.
According to court documents, Ballmer’s attorneys labeled the allegations as “sensational” and “patently false,” asserting that Ballmer himself was a victim of fraud by Aspiration’s co-founder, Joseph Sanberg.
The controversy gained traction after independent journalist Pablo Torre published documents and podcast interviews suggesting that Leonard was paid for work he allegedly never performed. While the legal process plays out, the Clippers’ focus remains on the court - and on getting Leonard back healthy.
For now, the team will have to navigate the rest of this road trip without their star. But all eyes will be on his reassessment once the Clippers return home. With the Western Conference race tightening, how quickly Leonard can bounce back could shape the rest of L.A.’s season.