On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Clippers will be without star player Kawhi Leonard in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. The six-time All-Star will miss his third game in the series due to inflammation in his right knee.
Injuries have been a recurring issue for Leonard, hindering his performance over the years. He previously missed Games 1 and 4 of the series after experiencing right knee pain during the final stretch of the regular season. Despite returning to play in Games 2 and 3, Leonard struggled to find his rhythm, scoring only 24 points in total and failing to make a 3-pointer.
However, despite Leonard’s absence, the Clippers managed to win both games he missed while the Mavericks emerged victorious in the games he played. The pressure is now on the rest of the Clippers’ roster to step up and secure a crucial win in Game 5 without their star player.
Throughout the season, Leonard averaged an impressive 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in just 68 games – marking his most extensive stretch since the 2016-17 season with San Antonio. Although injuries have been a persistent challenge for him, Leonard remains an important player for the Clippers as they navigate through this series.
The Clippers’ coaching staff has closely monitored Leonard’s health throughout this season and has made adjustments to accommodate his injury history when necessary. With him out of action again, Lue will need to rely on other players who can bring energy and intensity to fill Leonard’s role.
As they continue fighting for survival against the Mavericks, it is clear that Leonard’s absence puts additional pressure on both Lue and his teammates to perform at their best without him on board.
