The LA Clippers have played all season without Kawhi Leonard and half the year without Paul George. But good news could be on the horizon. At least, according to Clippers forward Nicolas Batum.
Batum makes a regular appearance on a video show for First Team, a French Sports media page on Twitch, Twitter, and other social media pages, hosted by journalist Erwan Abautret. On the latest episode, the leader of Batum Batallion says the team is hopeful that both Kawhi Leonard (ACL) and Paul George (torn UCL) could return after the All-Star Break or early March.
Translation via multiple people:
“Yes, we hope after All-Star break or beginning of March, they return,” Nicolas Batum said. “Before going on the trip Tuesday morning I went to get my COVID test alone, and I saw Kawhi sweating, training. So I don't know if it will be this year or what. I don’t know, but I hope. If we get them in the next six weeks, we can play in playoffs. We have a base around the two players who are a good level.”
Batum also mentioned that Leonard was working on his full conditioning during the workout he saw.
Kawhi Leonard, bientôt de retour ? @nicolas88batum nous donne de ses nouvelles ! 🌟
👉 https://t.co/F7m2EI9Wnm pic.twitter.com/rBxAbfe4hG
— First Team (@FirstTeam101) January 24, 2022
Kawhi Leonard has been out since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. He's been aggressively rehabbing with the intention of coming back this season, and it's continuing to look like a strong possibility that he will.
For the most part, Clippers coaches and staff members have remained quiet on Leonard's recovery, not providing any updates that would signify whether he's ahead or behind in his rehab. By all accounts, however, the two-time NBA Finals MVP is ahead in his rehab and is targeting a return at some point this season.
Paul George has been out since Christmas Day with a torn UCL in his right elbow. The injury was initially suffered on December 6th against the Portland Trail Blazers, and after a brief absence, a longer period of rest was determined the necessary next steps for George.
The seven-time All-Star recently underwent a re-evaluation prior to the Clippers' road trip in which the team decided to extend his period of rest to see how the right elbow responds. At this point, it's safe to say George will be out through the All-Star break, and possibly longer, with the aim at returning this season.
Nicolas Batum and the Clippers are currently on the East Coast, in the middle of an eight-game road trip. They have five games remaining on the trip, which is a five-in-seven set. The team also has 13 games remaining until the All-Star break, and it remains to be seen whether they can stay afloat in the standings without their two stars.
Through January 24th, the Clippers have a 23-25 record, good for ninth in the West, just a game behind the Timberwolves for seventh, and two games ahead of the Blazers for 10th. If the team hopes to make the playoffs, they'll desperately need one of Kawhi Leonard or Paul George back. IF they want to make any noise in the playoffs, they'll need both stars available and close to 100 percent.
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