LOS ANGELES — At exactly 10:58 a.m. Saturday, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue’s latest injury update on Kawhi Leonard and his availability was cautious and optimistic for Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.

Leonard’s teammate, Paul George, in his session with reporters before Saturday’s practice, said, “I do think at some point he’ll be with us.”

Lue was asked for some clarity on the inflammation in Leonard’s right knee because George’s comments made it sound as if the Clippers’ best player would miss the opener of the best-of-seven first-round series.

“We don’t know yet,” Lue said. “Yeah, we don’t know yet, but you got to prepare both ways. So, we’re not sure and the guys are ready. We’re ready to get going and so you just got to prepare for everything.”

Officially, Lue said, Leonard will be listed as questionable for the game.

Lue said Leonard went through some shooting drills Friday on the team’s off day from practice and that the plan was for him to shoot again Saturday.

“Today, he’ll be able to do more with a little bit more movement and he’s going to go through some of the practice as well,” Lue said. “So, we’ll see after today how he feels.”

Lue was asked if Leonard would have any contact in practice Saturday.

“No contact,” Lue said.

Leonard last played in an NBA game on March 31 at Charlotte. He sat out the last eight regular-season games.

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