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Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Plays 5-on-5, Has 'A Ways to Go' in Knee Injury Recovery

Nov 11, 2022
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard gestures after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard gestures after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue provided an update on the health of Kawhi Leonard as the team continues to wait on the five-time All-Star's return to the floor.

"He played five-on-five with some of our guys, some of the players and some of the coaches," Lue said Friday, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

"The first time he was able to get on the floor and play five-on-five, and he looked pretty good. Still have a ways to go, but that was the first sign of positivity of him getting on the floor, playing five-on-five."

Leonard has been out since Oct. 23 with right knee stiffness.

He suffered a partial tear of his right ACL during the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz, and he subsequently missed the remainder of the postseason and all of the 2021-22 campaign.

He returned to the court for the Clippers' 2022-23 season debut on Oct. 20 against the Los Angeles Lakers and scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting in 21 minutes.

He followed that up with 11 more points in 21 minutes against the Phoenix Suns three days later.

Per Youngmisuk, Leonard began experiencing the discomfort during a morning shootaround on Oct. 25 prior to a road matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

There's still no definitive timeline for Leonard's return, but Lue gave some insight as far as the next steps.

"Not tomorrow," Lue said when asked about a return. "But it's gonna take a few more [workout] opportunities to get that in. Then kind of reassess him to see how he's feeling after we go to medical and just kind of see if we check all the boxes."

Leonard is one of the league's greatest two-way players. The two-time NBA Finals MVP is also a five-time All-NBA selection, a seven-time All-Defensive Team honoree and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

He and Paul George joined forces in L.A. in the summer of 2019. Leonard has averaged 25.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 111 regular-season contests for the franchise.

He helped lead the Clippers to a second-place finish in the 2019-20 Western Conference standings during his first year.

While the team fell in an upset to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs that campaign, L.A. then made the conference finals for the first time in franchise history the following year.

With Leonard out and George (UCL injury) sitting for most of the 2021-22 season, the Clippers didn't make the playoffs, finishing 42-40. This year's team is 7-5 and riding the high of a 5-1 stretch.

Jazz's Mike Conley Thought He Was Being Traded to Clippers Before LAC Got John Wall

Nov 9, 2022
Mike Conley
Mike Conley

Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley thought he was heading to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of Utah's offseason overhaul that featured the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

Conley told Tony Jones of The Athletic on Monday he received a message from a "person he trusted" suggesting a move to the Clippers, a team that has interested him in recent years, could be on the horizon. Instead, the Clips opted to sign free agent John Wall.

"We tried to handle it as well as it could be handled," Conley told Jones about himself and his wife, Mary. "It was tough because there weren't really many answers to the questions that we had. We didn't know who was staying or going. We had no clue what to expect. It felt like every day I was being traded somewhere else."

The 2021 All-Star ultimately stayed in Utah, and he's played a key role in the team's red-hot 9-3 start to the 2022-23 season.

After the offseason whirlwind of moves, it seemed like the Jazz might struggle to reach .500, let alone sit atop the Western Conference standings as they do now. It's still a small sample size, but they're on track to far exceed expectations.

Conley has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals through 11 appearances. He's also knocking down 2.4 threes per game at a 42.6 percent clip.

"This was tough at first because I'm 35 and I'm so used to having championship aspirations," Conley told Jones. "I came to the Jazz to play for championships. So I was wondering what would end up happening. But once we got a new coach (Will Hardy) in here and he started laying things out, I knew that I wanted to be here. We are building and developing."

The Ohio State product added he's "loved every second" of playing for the rebuilt Jazz.

Depending on how Utah plays over the next few months, it's still possible Conley ends up on the trade block ahead of the deadline. His three-year, $68 million contract includes a partially guaranteed salary for next season, per Spotrac.

For now, the three-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award said he's focused on the present.

"Honestly, these young guys are keeping me in the moment," Conley told Jones. "Everyone is constantly asking questions and constantly wanting to watch film. I kind of feel like a coach now. I love playing this game and I'm enjoying it."

The Jazz are back on the floor Wednesday night when they visit State Farm Arena to take on the 7-3 Atlanta Hawks.

Clippers, Thunder Fined $25K for Violating NBA's Injury Reporting Rules

Nov 3, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 23: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 23, 2022 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 23: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 23, 2022 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder were each fined $25,000 for violating the league's injury reporting rules:

Thunder guard Josh Giddey was initially ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic with an ankle injury but he was later able to play. He had seven points with 10 assists in a 116-108 win for Oklahoma City.

Brandon Boston Jr. and Moussa Diabaté were also ruled out for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to their G League assignments. They ended up being active and both playing in the game.

Boston and Diabaté each played five minutes in the 112-91 loss.

Both entered the game with the Clippers trailing by 18 points, so their appearances didn't make much of an impact, but the NBA still has strict rules about reporting lineups.

It was the second career NBA game for Diabaté, a second-round draft pick out of Michigan who is playing on a two-way contract. Boston averaged 6.7 points per game as a rookie last year for Los Angeles. He's now seen action in five games this season.

Giddey's impact is a bigger one for the Thunder. The 2021 No. 6 overall draft pick averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game last season and continues to fill up the stat sheet in 2022-23. Through four games, he is averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.

An ankle injury cost him three games last week, but his return provides the Thunder with a significant boost going forward.

Paul George Says He Takes 'Full Responsibility' for Clippers' Slow Start to Season

Nov 1, 2022
Paul George
Paul George

Paul George used a terrific performance Monday night to accept responsibility for the Los Angeles Clippers' sluggish start to the 2022-23 NBA season.

The seven-time All-Star recorded 35 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, six steals and two blocks to lead L.A. to a 95-93 victory over the Houston Rockets. His game-winning jumper with six seconds left in regulation helped improve the team's record to 3-4.

"I take full responsibility for us and our record right now," George told reporters. "Regardless of who is in the lineup, who's not, I am more than capable of going out and performing and willing our team to wins. So I took a lot of on the chin for myself for the way we have been playing and for the start that we have had so far."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SlzHrdrqfU

George, who was limited to 31 appearances last season because of an elbow injury, exploded for 40 points against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 22 but had otherwise failed to score more than 16 points in his other four games before Monday night.

Getting more consistent two-way production from the two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection is paramount to the Clippers' success, especially with fellow cornerstone Kawhi Leonard sidelined by a lingering knee injury.

Los Angeles' lackluster results in the early going included back-to-back losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who aren't expected to contend this season.

"It was a lot of weight to it, the style we were losing," George said. "And no disrespect to any of the teams we've been playing, but we're not playing the heavyweights right now. And the way we were losing these games, it was embarrassing, to be honest."

L.A. also lost home games to the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans.

If the Clippers are going to build some sustained success coming out of Monday's win, it'll likely be on the back of George, who showcased his MVP-level upside.

Head coach Tyronn Lue was asked whether that's closer to the type of play they need from the 32-year-old Fresno State product.

"Hell yeah," Lue said. "Right now while we're struggling, we need everything, everybody, every point. But tonight was huge. ... We need him to play at that kinda level."

George and the Clippers will attempt to keep turning things around Wednesday when they travel to the Toyota Center for a rematch with the Rockets.

Clippers' Kawhi Leonard to Sit out vs. Thunder Due to Right Knee Injury Management

Oct 25, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during a NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 23, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during a NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 23, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers will be quite shorthanded for Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mark Medina of NBA.com noted the Clippers ruled star Kawhi Leonard out for "right knee injury management." He joins a list of absences that includes Paul George (non-COVID illness) and Marcus Morris Sr. (personal reasons).

Law Murray of The Athletic provided more details:

The Clippers have been cautious with Leonard thus far after he sat out the 2021-22 season as he recovered from an ACL injury.

He played 21 minutes in the opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, sat out the second game against the Sacramento Kings and played 21 minutes in the third game against the Phoenix Suns. The Kings and Suns games were on back-to-back days, which suggested he may not play both ends of back-to-backs for some time.

Los Angeles is off to a 2-1 start and split the two games in which Leonard appeared.

It won't be the only team playing shorthanded on Tuesday, as the Thunder announced Josh Giddey (ankle) and Jalen Williams (orbital bone) are out. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is questionable with a hip contusion.

Oklahoma City is off to an 0-3 start, so the Clippers will still have an opportunity to improve to 3-1 even without their two go-to players taking the court.

Leonard averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in his limited action in his first two games. He is one of the best players in the league when healthy and has a resume that includes two championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-NBA selections and five All-Star nods.

His presence is a major reason the Clippers could be title contenders come playoff time, which gives the team even more motivation to treat him with caution in the early portion of the season.

Clippers' Paul George Partnering with BetterHelp to Provide $3M of Free Therapy

Oct 21, 2022
ONTARIO, CA - OCTOBER 12: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers dr/ against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 12, 2022 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
ONTARIO, CA - OCTOBER 12: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers dr/ against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 12, 2022 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers superstar forward Paul George is teaming with BetterHelp to provide people with up to $3 million worth of free therapy.

In a press release provided to Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com, George discussed the motivation behind the initiative:

"Mental health is just as important as physical health to me. I can be in the best physical shape of my life but if my mental health is lacking, it won't make a difference.

"Getting help to better yourself mentally has been extremely important in my life and has allowed me to be the player, father, husband and person I am today. This is why I am so excited to partner with BetterHelp to provide access to free therapy and help raise mental-health awareness around the world."

In conjunction with the partnership, BetterHelp is allowing users to sign up online for a free month of therapy.

George is joining several other athletes in working with BetterHelp, as tennis stars Venus Williams, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are part of the campaign as well.

Many NBA players have opened up about their struggles with mental health in recent years, and George is among them.

The 13-year NBA veteran and seven-time All-Star appeared on the show How Hungry Are You? (h/t SI.com's Farbod Esnaashari) in February and discussed the mental-health issues he has gone through.

He specifically mentioned being inside the NBA bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic and being unable to sleep due to anxiety, especially if he didn't play well that night.

Now, with an assist from BetterHelp, George is drawing from his experience in an effort to put others in position to lead much healthier and happier lives.

NBA Twitter Praises John Wall for Clippers Debut in Win vs. Lakers

Oct 21, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 03: John Wall #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers points during the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 03, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 03: John Wall #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers points during the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 03, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers passed their first test of the 2022-23 season with a 103-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

While most of the attention in the game was understandably on the return of Kawhi Leonard, it was John Wall who stole the show in the victory.

Playing in his first game since April 23, 2021, Wall's 15 points was tied with Paul George for most on the Clippers. The five-time All-Star went 7-of-15 from the field with four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes off the bench.

It was fair to wonder what Wall had left in the tank. He sat out the entire 2021-22 campaign with the Houston Rockets when the two sides were unable to work out a buyout and a trade did not materialize during the season.

Over the past three years starting with 2019-20, Wall has been limited to just 40 games because of injuries and his standoff with the Rockets.

For at least one game, Wall was able to remind people of the things he's still capable of doing at the age of 32.

https://twitter.com/LOLL________/status/1583285648085028864

No team went more all-in to try winning this season than the Clippers. They have the highest payroll in the league and built arguably the deepest roster. Wall, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard are coming off the bench.

Leonard was used off the bench in this game as he works his way back into form after missing all of last season recovering from a torn ACL.

The Clippers beat the Lakers without playing anywhere near their best basketball. They committed 21 turnovers in the game. George had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but he shot just 4-of-12 from the field with five turnovers.

But it didn't matter because the Clippers bench, led by Leonard and Wall, took advantage of an overmatched Lakers team.

If Wall can play at this level for the entire season, the Clippers are going to be even more formidable than they looked on paper.

Kawhi Leonard to Come off Bench for Clippers vs. Lakers In Return from ACL Injury

Oct 20, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 9, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 9: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 9, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers will bring Kawhi Leonard off the bench during Thursday's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported earlier in the day that the team was considering using Leonard off the bench to start the season, a move that would be made in an effort to manage Leonard's minutes after he missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a torn ACL.

Leonard is no stranger to taking on a lighter workload than most players during the regular season to be fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

Ever since the San Antonio Spurs traded Kawhi to the Toronto Raptors in 2018, the five-time All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has strategically missed games for the purpose of load management.

Leonard was limited to 60 regular-season games in his only campaign with the Raptors, and the move paid dividends, as he led Toronto to its first NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career.

While COVID-19 caused the shortening of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, Leonard still rested at times during those seasons, appearing in 57 games in 2019-20 and 52 games the following season.

Despite the minutes limit, Leonard suffered a torn ACL during the 2021 playoffs and did not play at all last season.

With Leonard returning to the team, the Clippers are considered strong contenders to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals this season, as he will join forces with the likes of Paul George, John Wall, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac and Reggie Jackson, among others.

The Clips have arguably one of the deepest teams in the NBA, and that alone should allow head coach Ty Lue to play it smart with Leonard regarding his minutes.

Coming off the bench could be one way to accomplish that, but Lue could also pull Leonard earlier when he starts and give him a more extended rest on the bench before putting him back in games.

Of the 576 regular-season games Kawhi has appeared in, 549 have been starts, and he has not come off the bench since doing it once in 2013-14, which was his third NBA season.

At 31 years of age, Leonard is likely most comfortable as a starter, and shifting him to the bench could be a risk in terms of getting Leonard out of his usual rhythm.

For at least Thursday night, though, Leonard will be used off the bench as he gets eased back into action.

Clippers' John Wall: 'Hopefully I'll Get That Big Standing Ovation' in Return to DC

Oct 14, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 03: John Wall #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers points during the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 03, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 03: John Wall #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers points during the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 03, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall said he's hoping for an overwhelmingly positive reaction when he returns to Washington, D.C., to face off with the Wizards on Dec. 10.

Wall, who played for the Wiz from 2010 through 2020, discussed his first game back at Capital One Arena with fans in attendance during an appearance Wednesday on HBO's The Shop (1:55 mark of the video below).

"Being there for 10 years, the team that drafted me, being the franchise guy and then getting traded from there," Wall said. "Then that's during the midst of COVID, so I never had the opportunity to be back to play in front of fans. So hopefully I'll get that big standing ovation that I think I deserve. My ultimate goal was trying to bring a championship there, like everything I gave to that city, from playing through my injuries, giving back to the community, it felt like a second home to me."

The five-time All-Star lived up to the sky-high expectations of being the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, though injuries prevented him from maintaining his usual impact over his final few seasons in the nation's capital.

Wall averaged 19 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 573 regular-season appearances across nine seasons with the Wizards. He was voted to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2015 and the All-NBA Third Team in 2017.

His individual success wasn't enough to help Washington capture its first title since 1978, though. The team reached the playoffs four times during the guard's tenure but never advanced beyond the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Now the question is how the 32-year-old from North Carolina will perform after sitting out two of the past three seasons. He missed 2019-20 with heel and Achilles injuries, and he sat out all of last year as part of an agreement with the rebuilding Houston Rockets.

Wall did still look like an impact player in 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21, averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists.

"They told me just be myself, be John Wall no matter what, and I think for me it's easy," Wall told reporters last week. "I know how to be myself. For me it's to push the pace, I think I'm one of the best two-way guard defenders in the league at my position so that helps them out a lot with a lot of the switching they do."

He'll likely split minutes with Reggie Jackson at the point to open the campaign, but the former University of Kentucky standout could earn a larger share of the playing time if he returns to peak form throughout the season.

As for his return to Washington, it would be a surprise if Wizards fans gave him anything other than a sustained standing ovation. The team didn't reach its ultimate goal during his time there, but that wasn't because of a lack of effort from the longtime face of the franchise.

The Dec. 10 contest is the Clippers' only visit to D.C. this season.

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