Kawhi Leonard practices with Clippers, but status for Game 1 is unclear
Published in Basketball
“Yeah, just bring him along slowly,” Lue said.
By the time Sunday rolls around, Leonard will have missed three weeks of NBA game action.
So, Lue was asked, is this about ramping things up for Leonard?
“Yes,” Lue said.
Then came the big question: Will that ramp-up result in Leonard playing Sunday against the Mavericks and their sensational backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
“We’ll see,” Lue said.
Leonard is the Clippers' best player and has won two NBA championships — one with San Antonio (2014) and the other with Toronto (2019) — and his presence will be needed if Los Angeles is to get by the improved Mavericks.
Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games this season. He shot 52.5% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range.
He was at his best in the playoffs with Toronto, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game while earning the Finals’ most valuable player in 2019.
He was great for the Clippers last season in the playoffs, averaging 34.5 points. But Leonard played in just two games, unable to finish the series against the Phoenix Suns because of a meniscus tear in his right knee.
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