NBA analyst Chris Broussard has shared insights from his sources, indicating that the Los Angeles Clippers are apprehensive about Kawhi Leonard’s condition. Leonard has been sidelined with knee swelling since March 31, raising concerns about his availability for the playoffs.
The Clippers strategically granted Leonard the final two weeks of the regular season to recuperate his knee ahead of the postseason. However, there has been a lack of public updates regarding Leonard’s progress. When questioned about Leonard’s status on the eve of the playoffs, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue provided a vague response, stating that Leonard has been “doing a little something” but refraining from divulging further details.
Given Leonard’s penchant for maintaining privacy regarding his health, it remains uncertain within the organization how prepared he will be for the Clippers’ first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, which commences on Sunday.
In previous matchups, Leonard has been pivotal in the Clippers’ efforts to contend with Luka Doncic, showcasing impressive statistics averaging 32.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 13 games. As the primary contributor matching Doncic’s impact, Leonard’s performance will significantly influence the Clippers’ aspirations for postseason success.
Some doubts surrounding the Clippers:
Despite holding the higher seed, recent developments in the NBA season have led many to favor the Dallas Mavericks to win this series against the Clippers, regardless of Kawhi’s health status. Doncic has previously posed challenges for the Clippers’ competitive lineups despite having a less talented roster around him. This season, the Mavericks have bolstered their roster significantly, with Kyrie Irving being a notable addition.
In terms of Doncic’s performance, he boasts impressive playoff averages of 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists against the Clippers. Despite losses in 2020 and 2021, his individual displays have created a narrative of him dominating the Clippers, a sentiment recently echoed by Gilbert Arenas.
The prospect of doubling Luka to contain him presents risks, as it could leave the defense vulnerable. Therefore, the Clippers heavily rely on Kawhi’s availability, as he has previously demonstrated effectiveness in guarding Doncic. Paul George is expected to face significant challenges defending against Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks’ wing players, especially given the absence of key defensive players like Robert Covington and Marcus Morris Sr.
The matchup between the Clippers and the Mavericks has emerged as a modern playoff rivalry, with Dallas eager to secure their first series victory. They also hope to achieve this feat against a fully healthy Leonard. Thus, there’s optimism that Kawhi will recover swiftly and contribute seamlessly to the Clippers’ postseason campaign.
