Kawhi Leonard is lighting up the court this season, showcasing some of the best basketball of his career. With career highs in scoring and his signature efficiency, Leonard is making waves for the LA Clippers. Yet, despite his stellar performance, he might miss out on some NBA awards this year.
Leonard, a seven-time NBA All-Star, is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over 53 appearances. His commitment has been evident, missing only 14 games, primarily due to a right ankle sprain back in November.
However, Leonard will be sitting out Monday night's clash with the San Antonio Spurs, marking his 15th missed game this season. This puts him in a precarious position, as missing just two more games would render him ineligible for season-end NBA honors.
Currently, Leonard is a strong contender for both an All-NBA Team and an All-Defensive Team spot. But the risk of missing additional games looms large, placing him alongside stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, who are already out of the running for these accolades.
Other notable players are also walking a fine line. Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic is on the brink of ineligibility, while Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic can only afford to miss five more games. San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama has played 52 of their 67 games, leaving him with just a couple of games to spare.
Reflecting on his standout season, Leonard attributes his success to factors that have allowed him to excel in his 14th year in the league.
The Clippers have 15 games left, including two back-to-back sets. Leonard has already played in nine back-to-backs this season, a testament to the trust he and the Clippers' medical team have in his health-trust that might not have been there in previous seasons.
As the Clippers prepare to face the Spurs, the game tips off at 7 PM PST on NBC. Leonard's absence will be felt, but his impact this season is undeniable, and fans are eager to see how the rest of the season unfolds for him and the Clippers.