Kawhi Leonard suffered a torn meniscus after dropping 69 points in first two playoff games against the Suns, as the Clippers star will ‘decide on the course of treatment over the next two weeks’
- Leonard, 31, scored 38 points in Game 1 before adding another 31 in Game 2
- The small forward hasn’t played more than 60 games in any season since 2016-17
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed the last three playoff games with a torn meniscus in his right knee, despite the injury being initially listed as a ‘right knee sprain.’
Without Leonard, the Clippers lost all three of their games in the first-round Western Conference series against Phoenix and were eliminated by the Suns with a 136-130 setback in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
Leonard scored 38 points in a 115-110 victory at Phoenix in Game 1 on April 16 and added 31 points in the Clippers’ Game 2 loss on April 18.
‘It’s always in the back of your mind, ”What if.” It’s easy to say, ”What if,” because a lot of guys get hurt,’ Clippers coach Ty Lue said after Tuesday night’s elimination game, referring to Leonard and Paul George’s injuries.
‘It’s just been our luck the last three years.’
Kawhi Leonard shone in L.A.’ first two playoff games vs. Phoenix despite not playing afterward
Injuries to Leonard (second from left) and Paul George (R) dented the Clippers’ NBA title hopes
According to ESPN, the meniscus injury was discovered after Game 2 and Leonard was shut down by the Los Angeles medical staff despite the injury being disclosed as a ‘right knee sprain’ and nothing more.
A report provided by The Athletic did not indicate when the five-time All-Star might undergo surgery.
The Clippers and Leonard will ‘decide on the course of treatment within the next two weeks’, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers were eliminated by the Suns with a 136-130 setback in Game 5 on Tuesday night
Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season following surgery on his right ACL.
The 31-year-old averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 52 games (50 starts) in 2022-23.
He has not played more than 60 games in any season since 2016-17.
Leonard and George only shared the floor 38 times together this season, going 24-14 in those games.
