The LA Clippers still have no updates on star forward Kawhi Leonard. All Tyronn Lue and the team is willing to say is that he's been ruled out for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
Leonard has been back home in Los Angeles, rehabbing what the team called a ‘knee sprain.' Just because he's been home during the three road games doesn't mean he hasn't been involved. The Clippers star has been on a number of calls, coaches meetings, and group chats since he suffered his knee injury a week ago.
“He likes to know the adjustments we're going to make,” Tyronn Lue said of Kawhi Leonard prior the Clippers' film session Monday. “He likes to know the game plan so when he watches the game, he can understand what we're doing good and doing bad, and let the coaches know, let the players know. He's very engaged. Even though he's back home rehabbing, he's still locked in and tuned in.”
“He just stays engaged, likes to know the adjustments we're gonna make, likes to know the gameplan so when he's watching, he can understand what we're doing good/bad. Even though he's back home rehabbing, he's still locked in and tuned in."
– Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/JcTJsQb5Pz
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 21, 2021
Leonard suffered the injury a week from Monday, in Game 4 vs. the Jazz. He traveled to Utah, optimistic about his availability, but flew back home for further imaging once the swelling in his knee didn't subside.
The two-time Finals MVP was at Game 6, watching his Clippers complete a 25-point second-half comeback en route to the franchise's first ever Western Conference Finals appearance. He was also seen walking about Staples Center without a brace or limp and celebrating in the locker room with his teammates following the win.
Leonard has been FaceTiming and texting teammates both individually as well one-on-one all the time, focusing on the small points.
“It's all the time,” Ivica Zubac says of Kawhi Leonard. “When we were in L.A., he was back in the locker room. He talked to us before the game or at halftime. He was talking to us about adjustments, even the game before that, he went to Utah. But he went back and he's texting us in group chat. I mean, he's a big part of this team, and it's not like he's done. He's involved and he's trying to help in a bunch of different ways.
“I mean, Kawhi's really big on details. He was like that when he was playing, and he's like that right now when he's on the sidelines. He's all about details.”
Without an official confirmation of a tear in his knee over the last couple of days, it can be deduced that Kawhi Leonard avoided a serious injury and has essentially been dealing with a sprained ligament in his knee. Last week, ClutchPoints reported that Leonard suffered a sprained ACL, per sources. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports also confirmed that Leonard is essentially day-to-day.”
“He's behind the scenes making sure that we're staying ready and staying locked in on what we need to do,” said Clippers guard Luke Kennard. “He believes in us just like everybody believes in each other. We definitely listen when he talks to us.
“Just being able to hold guys accountable, talking to guys, talking to the players, what we need to do better on what he sees. If he knows the game plan, then he can definitely do that. So he's talked to the guys every day, as well, not just the coaching staff. He's very engaged and that's what you need from your players. He's locked in and still in tune.”
After Game 1, Reggie Jackson said Kawhi Leonard is doing everything he can to return to the court. That may be sooner rather than later.
If there's one thing Ty Lue and the Clippers learned over the last couple of days, however, it's that Kawhi Leonard prefers to FaceTime while Ty Lue does not.
"It was text this time. He wanted to FaceTime, but I don't like FaceTime."
Ty Lue on his recent call with Kawhi Leonard 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MHfF0tTcOB
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 21, 2021
Game 2 between the Clippers and Suns will be Tuesday at 6PM PST on ESPN.
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