Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard continues to battle persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, an issue that has plagued him throughout the offseason. Despite various treatments implemented by the team since last season, Leonard's knee trouble forced him to miss crucial games, both during the regular season and notably during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers' playoff hopes were notably hampered by Leonard's inability to participate fully. He could only appear in two games in the series against the Mavericks due to consistent inflammation. With Leonard limited, the Clippers ultimately fell to the Mavericks, ending their postseason prematurely.
Managing the Inflammation
To ensure Leonard's knee remains in optimal condition, the Clippers have decided to hold him out of drills during the upcoming training camp. The focus is on strengthening and properly loading his knee to prevent any recurrence of the inflammation. Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations, shed light on the approach the team is taking.
"We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position," Frank said.
Throughout the offseason, the Clippers have paid special attention to Leonard's rehabilitation. Frank highlighted the progress seen over time, although he acknowledges the journey has been fraught with challenges.
"I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't. It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction," Frank explained.
USA Basketball Participation and Replacement
Interestingly, Leonard participated in training camp with USA Basketball despite dealing with the knee inflammation. However, USA Basketball ultimately decided to replace Leonard with Derrick White to allow him to focus on his rehabilitation with the Clippers. This move underscores the careful management plan for Leonard’s return to full health.
Uncertain Timeline for Return
Despite the detailed approach to managing Leonard's knee, there remains no confirmed timeline for his return to regular-season action. The Clippers are cautious not to rush the process, and Leonard's participation will depend on how his knee responds to each phase of treatment.
"I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," Frank remarked.
Optimism still has its place in the Clippers’ camp. Frank noted the significant strides made over the offseason to improve Leonard's knee condition.
"We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer," Frank said.
The Clippers' management, medical staff, and Leonard himself are all understandably eager for a resolution that allows the star player to return to his best form without the specter of knee inflammation hovering over him.
For now, the team’s strategy remains one of caution and careful progression. Clippers fans, as well as the basketball community at large, will be monitoring Leonard's condition closely as the offseason treatment continues, hoping to see a fully fit Leonard back on the court where he belongs.