Clippers use ‘knee maintenance’ to hold Kawhi Leonard out vs. Pacers

Kawhi Leonard load management

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

As has been the case all season, the Los Angeles Clippers will sit star forward Kawhi Leonard for the second half of a back-to-back Monday against the Indianapolis Pacers.

It’s been a point of contention all season with the NBA going as far as to fine the Clippers $50,000 for how they’ve utilized load management.

The team is now coming up with a new term to sit Leonard, calling it “knee maintenance.”

This will represent the seventh game Leonard has already sat out during the 2019-20 season. Though, some of those absences had to do with a legit injury.

It’s similar to how the Toronto Raptors used Leonard during their championship season in 2018-19. The idea is to have Leonard completely fresh for the stretch run and the playoffs.

Los Angeles currently sits at 17-7, the second-best record in the Western Conference. For his part, Leonard is averaging 25.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists on the season.

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