Addressing reporters ahead of Saturday afternoon’s practice in Dallas, LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue provided the latest update on Kawhi Leonard’s injury status.
“He’s still dealing with inflammation and swelling,” Lue explained. “So we’re closely monitoring it. He received treatment last night and this morning, and will continue to receive treatment tonight.”
Initially hopeful that Leonard’s playing time would increase in Game 3, Lue acknowledged on Saturday that he had anticipated restricting his star forward to around 25 minutes.
When questioned about potential restrictions for Leonard in Game 4, Lue responded, “To be determined. We’ll continue to be cautious and ensure we prioritize his well-being until he’s fully recovered.”
The Clippers face a challenging predicament regarding Leonard’s availability and impact on the team. While they aim to have their top player on the court, the Clippers have struggled significantly with Leonard during this series, trailing by 16.4 points per 100 possessions when he plays compared to when he sits.
Despite the small sample size, this trend poses a dilemma for the Clippers, who must soon decide whether to persist with a limited Leonard or revert to their Game 1 strategy without him.
