On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers announced Kawhi Leonard underwent successful surgery to repair a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee. There is no timetable for the All-Star forward’s return.
Leonard was injured during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. “It’s good, next question,” Leonard responded when asked about his knee after Game 4. He missed the team’s final eight playoff games with what the team called a sprained right knee. The Clippers later found out that the injury was more serious than they initially realized.
The Clippers came back from a 2-0 series deficit without Leonard, eliminating the Jazz and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. They eventually fell to the Phoenix Suns in six games, falling short of their championship goals.
Leonard’s future and health are now an issue for the team going forward. The All-Star forward could take one year to return from his partial ACL tear. Leonard has a player option for next season worth $36 million. He can re-sign with the Clippers for only a four-year, $176.2 million deal as an early-bird free agent if he declines the player option. If Leonard opts in, he will earn full bird rights and will be able to sign a new five-year deal.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists during the regular season. In the playoffs, the All-Star averaged 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists. If he had not sustained an injury, the Clippers very well could have advanced to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, we will never know.
With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…
https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…
Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…