Kawhi Leonard has once again undergone surgery, raising concerns about his participation in preseason activities. Last season, he played 68 games but missed crucial moments, marking the last time he played over 70 games in the 2016-17 season.
This summer, much speculation surrounded Leonard’s decision to initially accept, then decline, the USA Basketball invitation for the Olympics. Reports indicated that the Clippers advised him to focus on his health, prompting mixed reactions from the public. It’s evident that the Clippers had insights others might not have known.
NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Kawhi Leonard had knee surgery this summer. Consequently, he will likely miss most, if not all, of the training camp before the season. Moreover, it remains uncertain whether he will be ready for the start of the competitive season.
“The swelling in his right knee has significantly decreased. It’s almost gone,” stated Clippers president Lawrence Frank, adding, “We will keep him away from ball work during training camp, focusing on strength training.”
In recent years, Leonard has struggled significantly with knee injuries. Two years ago, he partially tore his ACL, followed by a meniscus injury. Since then, he has faced recurrent issues with knee swelling. In response, the Clippers’ medical team developed a comprehensive recovery plan aimed at strengthening his knee. Although Frank mentioned that the swelling has diminished, the franchise intends to exercise extreme caution during his recovery process. Therefore, the former champion with the Spurs and Raptors will remain off the court for some time.
Last season, Kawhi Leonard played 68 games but missed the most critical part of the season, leading to an early exit for the Clippers. The last time he recorded at least 70 appearances was in the 2016-17 season.
