As expected, Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers are going to load manage star small forward Kawhi Leonard this season.
Load management worked well for Leonard last season with the Toronto Raptors. Leonard was fairly fresh in the playoffs and led Toronto to its first-ever championship, winning his second Finals MVP along the way.
The Clippers are going to rest Leonard on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz since they play again on Thursday versus the San Antonio Spurs.
Rivers spoke to reporters about how the Clippers are approaching Leonard's availability this season:
Leonard dealt with left knee tendinitis during the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers want to make sure Leonard is as close to 100 percent for their playoff run, so we are likely going to see Leonard sit out a few games this season.
That’s where the Clippers' depth will come in handy. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell are more than capable of carrying the load on offense. Plus, once Paul George returns from his shoulder injury, the Clippers will have two superstars to use for scoring.
In four games this season, Leonard is averaging 27.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists. The three-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year is shooting 51.9 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from beyond the arc and 84.0 percent from the free-throw line.
The Clippers enter Wednesday's matchup against the Jazz at 3-1.
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