Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will not play in Sunday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder as teammate Paul George makes his return to OKC.

Leonard continues to play the injury management card with his knee:

Leonard never plays the second leg of a back-to-back these days, and he will sit out after helping the Clippers earn a win against the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard scored 26 points while also adding nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals in a 25-point blowout against his former team.

The Clippers have been very vigilant about Leonard's usage. He is averaging just over 31 minutes per game this season, nearly three fewer minutes per game than Leonard saw last year with the Toronto Raptors.  He sits — sometimes for quarters at a time — during blowouts (win or lose) but also plays heavy minutes in big games, such as Thursday night's thriller against the Houston Rockets.

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Leonard has consistently defended this strategy. He insisted back in November — after Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was fined for a comment that was “inconsistent” with Leonard's health status — that he is only going to play when he feels he is healthy.

Via Mark Medina of USA TODAY Sports:

“It’s just disappointing. It feels like they want players to play even if they’re not ready,” Kawhi Leonard said of the NBA. “I don’t read into it. I have to do what will make me healthy and help the team be successful. That’s me being able to play basketball games for us.”

George will have to carry the load against his former squad with his star teammate sidelined.