Los Angeles Clippers star small forward Kawhi Leonard said his left knee is feeling healthier following the Clippers' 109-100 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

Leonard put up 36 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Warriors. The Clippers had four days off between games and Leonard looked really fresh:

“I feel better,” Kawhi Leonard said, via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. “Feeling better. I'm able to jump without it grabbing too much. And hopefully I just keep going uphill from here.”

Leonard dealt with left knee tendinitis during the 2019 Finals against the 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 more games this season.

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In 29 games this season, Leonard is averaging 25.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists. The three-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year is shooting 45.3 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from beyond the arc and 88.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The Clippers are 27-12 on the season. They are in third place in the Western Conference standings.

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.

So, the Clippers are being smart by load managing Leonard this season. It will pay off in the long run.