Clippers fans probably threw up their arms and let out a “not again!” as Kawhi Leonard left the arena in the first half against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
The announcers, much like the fans, were puzzled by the turn of events, and it wasn’t until after the game that coach Tyronn Lue revealed the reason for Leonard’s departure.
According to Lue, via ESPN, Leonard had been
dealing with back spasms before the game and was questionable to even suit up
against Minnesota.
NBA insider Shams Charania has now provided an update on Leonard’s injury. Speaking on FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back,” Charania revealed Leonard aggravated his back spasms while driving to the basket to make a layup in the first quarter.
“He made the bucket, but you could by the way he landed… he grimaced
and tugged his back a little bit,” Charania said. “He was so uncomfortable that the Clippers decided that, instead of sitting on the bench, it was best for him to go home.“There’s obvious concern when it comes to back spasms. It really just depends on how his back reacts to treatment over the coming days. The hope for the Clippers is you try to mitigate the [back spasms] with treatment and it just goes away.”
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Clippers, who are on the road in four of their next five games. They will be on the road in Chicago, New Orleans and two outings in Portland with one home clash against Atlanta in between.
The road trip begins with back-to-back games against the Bulls and Pelicans on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
During his postgame presser on Tuesday, coach Lue didn’t sound very optimistic when asked if “The Klaw” would travel with the team for the road trip.
“I hope so,” Lue said.
If Leonard misses considerable time, it would mark the fourth consecutive season when an injury either prematurely ended his season or cost the Clippers a chance at the NBA title.
During the 2021 NBA playoffs, Leonard suffered an ACL tear, causing him to sit out the entire 2021-22 season. Then, during the 2023 playoffs, Leonard suffered a torn meniscus during a first-round series against the Suns.
The Clippers currently have the third-shortest odds to win the NBA Finals, behind only the Celtics and Nuggets. If Leonard’s injury is serious, Clippers fans might as well kiss their hopes goodbye.
