The Los Angeles Clippers will be hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night and they may be getting back a crucial piece to their puzzle. Star forward Kawhi Leonard is set to possibly make his return to the court following right knee injury management.
The star was listed as questionable entering the game against Atlanta. Leonard will be making his season debut for this game.
Kawhi Leonard is officially available tonight.
He will be on a minutes restriction.
Leonard has missed the first part of the NBA season while he recovers from his knee injury. The Clippers have been quiet about his recovery but it seems that Leonard has made enough strides to return.
Los Angeles has been able to keep themselves afloat without the six-time All-Star in the lineup. Currently, the Clippers hold a record of 19-15, which is good for seventh place in the Western Conference.
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With Leonard back, the Clippers can fully evaluate themselves as a contender in the conference. Star guard James Harden has taken on the brunt of leading this team and he has done well in the absence of Leonard.
But with the Clippers leader now returning, Harden may be able to take some of the pressure off himself.
Due to the missed time already this season, Leonard is not eligible to win MVP or make an All-NBA team, All-Star team, or All-Defensive team. This matters mainly for contract incentives but Leonard likely will be happy to just get back on the court.
Last season, Leonard played in 68 games for the Clippers. This was the most amount of games he saw on the court since the 2016-17 season while with the San Antonio Spurs.
The veteran averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season. Despite his availability during the regular season, Leonard once again was sidelined when the Clippers needed him the most.
Leonard was in and out of the lineup for Los Angeles in the postseason against the Dallas Mavericks. The Clippers fell to Dallas in six games, with Leonard only playing in two contests.
If Leonard can remain healthy, the Clippers feel like they can do damage this season. But per usual, overall health will be the determining factor in how far this team can go this season.
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