LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz: Kawhi Leonard Injury and Timeline for Return

For the second time this postseason, the Los Angeles Clippers crawled back out of a 2-0 ditch and actually take the lead in Game 5. Their victory in the latest game came despite the absence of their star player Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers only came so far thanks to the two-time NBA Finals MVP. Without Kawhi, their lead could just as easily be taken away. But where is he?

Kawhi Leonard: Injury Report

During Game 4 against the Utah Jazz, there were five minutes left before the fourth quarter ended. It is when Joe Ingles and Kawhi Leonard bumped into each other hard and Leonard was seen grabbing his right leg instantly. This had Kawhi Leonard leave the court and missed the rest of the game.

This incident in Game 4 potentially resulted in Kawhi Leonard’s knee injury.

Will the @LAClippers be able to cope with the @utahjazz in Kawhi’s absence?

: @NBAonTNT #ClipperNation #NBATwitter #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/8SdiSObGAm

— Sportskeeda Basketball (@Basketball_SK) June 16, 2021

Initially deemed as a minor injury, the Clippers didn’t seem to have much to worry about. And then the injury report came and Leonard was ruled out indefinitely and was obviously missing Game 5 as well. A knee sprain has been cited as the reason for his absence and there is no definite timeline for his return.

Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Game 5 against the Jazz tonight with a knee injury suffered in game 4, sources tell @ramonashelburne & me. His status for rest of series is in doubt as well.

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 16, 2021

As per Jeff Stotts, an ACL sprain almost always undergoes surgery which could be dreadful news for the Clippers. They could lose him for the reason of the season. Jeff also said that the next course of action is to determine the severity of the sprain and what the treatment of it will be. Only if it’s a low-grade sprain can there be a possibility of no surgery.

Well now we know it’s Kawhi’s ACL. The next step is determining the degree of the sprain and the subsequent treatment. Very few NBA cases have avoided surgery but a low-grade sprain would be the best case scenario and leave open that possibility.

— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) June 16, 2021

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Is the league responsible for the injury plague?

Kawhi is another victim of the domino effect of injuries we’ve been witness to this season. And now, LeBron James is not keeping quiet and pointing fingers at the league for this. The season began way too soon, and the players didn’t get enough time to recuperate.

Bron was one player to voice his opinion about rushing the season last year. Therefore, he has picked up this opportunity to throw an ‘I told you so’ to the league. He ranted about how fans don’t deserve to have their favorite players missing only because the NBA didn’t take his warning seriously.

They all didn’t wanna listen to me about the start of the season. I knew exactly what would happen. I only wanted to protect the well being of the players which ultimately is the PRODUCT & BENEFIT of OUR GAME! These injuries isn’t just “PART OF THE GAME”. It’s the lack of PURE

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021

works all year round it’s ME! I speak for the health of all our players and I hate to see this many injuries this time of the year. Sorry fans wish you guys were seeing all your fav guys right now.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 16, 2021

Although the Clippers come out victorious without him, owing to Paul George‘s brilliant 37-point performance, Kawhi’s participation is integral for the franchise moving forward. Whether it is in this series, or if they level up the Conference finals. Will PG and Co. be able to finish the series in Game 6 without Kawhi if it comes to it?

READ MORE: ‘Fire Under Us’: Clippers’ Paul George Reveals What Helped Them Bounce Back Against the Jazz

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