The LA Clippers are hitting the road for a three-game swing, starting with a showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans. It's a grueling stretch for the Clippers, playing five games in seven nights.
Kawhi Leonard, the seven-time NBA All-Star, missed Monday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left ankle sprain suffered late in the matchup with the Sacramento Kings. Leonard exited in the fourth quarter and was quickly ruled out. Post-game, the Clippers confirmed the sprain and planned to reassess him ahead of this road trip.
As of now, Leonard's status for tonight's game against the Pelicans is "Questionable," an upgrade from his previous "Doubtful" listing against the Spurs. Given the Clippers' cautious approach with Leonard, especially considering his injury history, it's unlikely he'll play in both games of this back-to-back set.
Leonard has shown resilience this season, participating in both halves of nine back-to-back sets. This marks a significant improvement considering past injuries, including a torn ACL and a torn meniscus that sidelined him in previous postseasons.
This season, Leonard has played in 53 of the Clippers' 68 games, with most missed games due to a severe right ankle sprain. Despite his recent left ankle issue, Leonard set a franchise record with 45 consecutive games scoring 20+ points, surpassing Bob McAdoo. His streak is second only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder.
Tyronn Lue praised Leonard's achievement, highlighting his dedication and the impressive level of play in his 14th season. "When he's healthy, what he's done this year is crazy," Lue remarked, emphasizing Leonard's relentless work ethic.
In games Leonard has played, the Clippers boast a 30-23 record, compared to 4-11 without him. They also struggled in games where Leonard exited in the fourth quarter, losing all three.
Leonard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points, along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 steals, shooting efficiently across the board. His contributions have been pivotal in the Clippers' turnaround to a 34-34 record after a challenging start.
Both the Clippers and Pelicans have five players on their respective injury reports for tonight's clash. The Pelicans are coming off a strong victory over the Mavericks and will face the Clippers for the third time this season.