Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard added a new and unfortunate chapter to his growing injury history with the revelation of another torn ligament in his right knee.
The Los Angeles Clippers have been a franchise haunted by injury woes to their top two players. While Kawhi Leonard has had a very long road back from a torn ACL two years ago, it was Paul George who started the NBA Playoffs on the injury list. Nevertheless, there was hope the team could still advance without him.
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In the opening round of the postseason, they were matched up with a Phoenix Suns team that was still trying to develop chemistry among their top stars. The Clippers then won the first game of the series — led by an outstanding performance from Kawhi Leonard — and it seemed that they might be able to overcome their injury issues.
That all changed after Game 2 when it was revealed that the five-time All-Star had sprained his knee and would again be sidelined.
Kawhi Leonard stats (’22-’23): 23.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 42% 3PT
Well, it seems the latest issue with his surgically repaired right knee is more than just a simple sprain. On Wednesday, The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Kawhi Leonard “has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus.”
It is another crushing blow to the 31-year-old who has only played in 52 games over the last two seasons. The recovery time for a torn meniscus can be anywhere from three to six months. Considering Leonard’s injury history, the Los Angeles Clippers are likely to take things slow to make sure his balky right knee is stable, and that could mean he won’t be ready for the start of next season.
This latest injury to Kawhi Leonard puts more doubt on his being able to return to the elite form that helped him win championships with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors before joining the Clippers in 2019.
It is also placing the four-year, $176 million contract extension he signed with LA two years ago among the worst deals in the league. Leonard still has two years and over $93 million left on the deal.