The Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard is facing another challenging offseason as he grapples with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. This issue has been a major concern for the Clippers, leading to several setbacks that forced Leonard to miss crucial games last season.
Managing the Inflammation
Since last season, the Clippers have implemented various treatments to manage Leonard's knee condition, which notably flared up during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks. This relentless inflammation limited Leonard to just two games in the series, contributing to the Clippers' eventual loss.
As a result, the team is taking precautions as Leonard heads into the upcoming training camp. According to Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations, Leonard will be held out of drills to prevent any recurrence of the inflammation. "I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't," Frank commented. "It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction."
Focus on Recovery
The Clippers' strategy revolves around strengthening and loading Leonard's knee in a controlled manner. Frank emphasized that the team has learned valuable lessons from last season's experiences, particularly from Leonard's attempt to return in the Dallas series. "We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position," Frank explained.
Despite these challenges, Leonard participated in training camp with USA Basketball, showcasing his determination to stay active even while managing his knee issues. However, USA Basketball eventually replaced Leonard with Derrick White to allow him to concentrate solely on his rehabilitation with the Clippers. The team remains dedicated to getting Leonard back to full strength, although there is no confirmed timeline for his return to regular-season action.
Uncertainty About Return
One of the biggest uncertainties is when Leonard will be able to rejoin his teammates on the court for regular-season games. Frank highlighted the unpredictable nature of Leonard's recovery process. "I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," he added.
The Clippers are cautiously optimistic about Leonard's progress. "We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer," Frank noted, expressing hope for Leonard's ongoing recovery.
As Leonard continues his journey towards full health, the Clippers and their fans remain patient, knowing that a fully recovered Kawhi Leonard could be pivotal for their aspirations in the forthcoming season. With no definitive timeline for his return, the focus remains on cautious and calculated steps to ensure Leonard can perform at his best when he eventually does step back onto the court.