Kawhi Leonard to miss game against Kings because of sore knee
Broderick Turner April 2, 2024
Clippers All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard has a sore right knee and will miss the game Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, coach Tyronn Lue told reporters at the teams shoot-around earlier in the day.
Lue said
they were he was
informed about Leonards injury when the team landed
Monday
in Sacramento
Monday from after the cross-country flight from
Charlotte. Leonard had played 37 minutes in the Clippers win on Sunday in Charlotte and he had 23 points and five rebounds.
We heard about it after the game, Lue said. But yesterday was when we found out.
Lue said Leoand returned home to Los Angeles to get treatment
on his knee
.
He went back to L.A. (because there are) better resources as far as treatment and everything like that, Lue said. So, he went back yesterday when we landed (in Sacramento).
When asked if Leonards injury was something
to be concerned about
, Lue paused before answering.
Um, yes, Lue said.
Leonard, who is averaging 23.7 points per game on 52.5% shooting
from the field
and 41.7% on threes, will have missed
just only
his eighth game of the season.
Lue said the
hope
is that
Leonard can return to play Thursday when the Clippers meet the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
Were not sure right now, Lue said. But thats what we are leaning to, thats what were hopeful, that he can be back by Thursday but not sure yet.
Lue said Norman Powell will start in place of Leonard
against the Kings
. Powell, one of the NBAs top sixth men, is fourth on the team in scoring (14.0).
We need more scoring, need more offense, especially the way they play the pick-and-roll, Lue said
of the Kings
. Giving Norm a few opportunities to drive, close-outs and hit open shots. So, well see how it looks.
The Clippers are 3-0 on their fourgame trip, getting impressive wins in Philadelphia and Orlando
, and a good before the
win in Charlotte.
The Clippers are the fourth-seeded team in the Western Conference, holding a two-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks.
