The Los Angeles Clippers will be without their greatest player again this Thursday, as Kawhi Leonard has been declared out for the home game against the visiting Denver Nuggets, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
The Clippers have listed Kawhi Leonard as out due to right knee pain from the game versus the Nuggets. On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Clippers will use Kahwi Leonard’s services against the Nuggets, the defending NBA champions.
The same knee problem led Leonard to miss Tuesday’s game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings. Without Leonard, the Clippers were unable to beat the Kings on the road, losing 109-95.
After the Kings game, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stated that he hoped Leonard would be able to play against the Nuggets, but that is clearly not going to be the case following the decision on the player’s availability on Thursday.
Mar 31, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA: LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports
The Clippers shot poorly in the Kings game, shooting just 40.8 percent from the field. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with 20 points off the bench, while Paul George contributed 18. Norman Powell started in place of Leonard and scored 17 points in 28 minutes. With Leonard sidelined again, he is likely to be given another start against Denver.
Meanwhile, James Harden appeared to be the MVP he once was, despite only scoring seven points on a shaky 1/7 shooting from the field.
The Clippers will face Denver with a 47-28 record, good for fourth place in the Western Conference standings and only two games and two and a half games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, respectively.
