Before the NBA Playoffs, there is more concerning Los Angeles Clippers injury news.
With a 50-28 record, Los Angeles is currently ranked as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. In the competition to escape the NBA Play-In Tournament, it leads the New Orleans Pelicans by two games.
The good news is that. The unfavorable report? These Clippers are still having trouble with injuries. Due to a right knee injury, star forward Kawhi Leonard has missed the last four games. He is already out of the game against Phoenix on Tuesday.
James Harden, a guard, was also declared out by the Clippers due to foot irritation. He complained of soreness over the weekend, and it was only recently that his ailment was added to the report. In place of Harden, Russell Westbrook will make his first start since November.
Injuries to the Los Angeles Clippers could ruin the season
Injuries were going to affect the Clippers’ season in one way or another. This is the result of depending on two elderly veterans, Leonard and Paul George, who have sustained multiple injuries in recent years.
This season, both were largely healthy until Leonard had the previously noted knee injury. He will now miss his fifth straight game. Whether the Clippers can go far in the NBA Playoffs is a topic of discussion among the “Inside the Association” team.
Stats for Kawhi Leonard (2023โ24): 52.5% shooting, 3.6 APG, 6.1 RPG, and 23.7 PPG
Due to a variety of injuries, Leonard has only played in two of the Clippers’ previous 18 playoff games dating back to the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Regarding Harden, there has been some internal conflict in Southern California surrounding him. Since’s especially the case now since George confronted him about his recent shortcomings.
The Clippers team might play either the Dallas Mavericks or the previously mentioned Suns in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. Los Angeles plays one more game against Phoenix on Tuesday to wrap up the regular season before hosting the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets at home.
It won’t concern how the Clippers finish the regular season. Instead, going into the playoffs, health will be the most important factor.