Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round series versus the visiting Dallas Mavericks due to inflammation in his right knee.
Leonard also sat out Games 1 and 4 in the series, with the Clippers winning both contests. The best-of-seven series is tied at two victories apiece.
Amir Coffey started in place of Leonard in Game 4, scoring four points in 23 minutes in Los Angeles’ 116-111 win on Sunday.
The injury forced Leonard out of the Clippers’ final eight regular-season games. It also continues a trend of knee issues keeping the two-time NBA champion out of recent playoff series.
Knee injuries knocked Leonard out of the 2021 and 2023 playoffs, with the Clippers quickly eliminated after his departures. When knee surgery kept him out of the 2021-22 season, Los Angeles didn’t even make the playoffs.
Leonard, 32, averaged 23.7 points with 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games this season. In 696 regular-season games over 12 seasons, Leonard has averaged 20.0 points with 6.4 boards and 3.0 assists.
Leonard won NBA titles in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. He was named the MVP of the NBA Finals both years.
A six-time All-Star, Leonard has been named to the All-NBA first team three times. The veteran also was included on the Team USA roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
–Field Level Media