A potential NBA Finals preview on national television Wednesday night got a whole lot less interesting. The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to rest reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
One of the best early-season matchups that would have pitted Leonard against reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is now pretty much a dud.
Despite this, the NBA has decided to back Los Angeles’ decision to rest Leonard. The Association indicates that Leonard is nursing a knee injury.
This is pretty hilarious stuff in that Clippers head coach Doc Rivers noted earlier in the season that Leonard has never felt better before resting him against the Utah Jazz back on Oct. 30.
Given how the NBA had acted when the Golden State Warriors rested star players on national television in the past, we’d expect a different response here.
Either way, the Clippers now have the backing to rest Leonard whenever they see fit. It sets a bad precedent.