LOS ANGELES – The LA Clippers have held their ground while missing their two stars over the last couple of weeks. They'll get both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back for Friday night's showdown against the Utah Jazz.

In addition to Leonard and George, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue announced that Nicolas Batum and Luke Kennard will also make their returns to the lineup while also as well as the team's starting lineup before the game.

Lue also added that Leonard, George, and Batum will all be on minutes restrictions tonight and over the next few games.

Kawhi Leonard returns from a three game absence to left lower leg contusion. He suffered the injury sometime late in the Clippers' road trip last week, and after scoring 33 points against the Chicago Bulls, was held out.

Paul George last played 16 days ago on February 3rd, dropping 36 on the Cleveland Cavaliers in a masterful offensive performance. George has missed the last two weeks due to a bone edema in his right toe, which was essentially inflammation around the toe.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Trae Young, Paul George, and Donovan Mitchell in Bulls uniforms

Jedd Pagaduan ·

cG9zdDoyODA3Mjc1-thumbnail

Joey Mistretta ·

cG9zdDoyODA3MDE5-thumbnail

Alex House ·

Nicolas Batum missed the last two games for the Clippers due to a concussion, but cleared the NBA's protocols and will play Friday night.

Kawhi Leonard has averaged 26.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 51.3 percent shooting from the field, 38.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.9 percent from the free throw line in 23 games for the Clippers. He's one of the leading candidates for the league's MVP award, despite the lack of mention nationally.

In 20 appearances for the Clippers this season, Paul George has averaged 24.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.8 made three-pointers per game on 50.8 percent shooting from the field, 47.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.5 percent from the free throw line.