Kawhi Leonard injury update: What happened to the Clippers star during the game against Timberwolves?

Kawhi Leonard only played for 12 minutes and was able to score six points.

Kawhi Leonard injury update: What happened to the Clippers star during the game against Timberwolves?

Kawhi Leonard

Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost Kawhi Leonard after a single quarter, 118-100. In his meager 12 minutes of action, Leonard scored six points, grabbed two rebounds, and dished out two assists. He left the game during the first half, and there were no indications or reports that he had left. Until everyone noticed that he had changed into his casual clothes.

He didn’t receive a contact injury during the game, and the LA Clippers didn’t give any updates until after everyone saw him leaving the arena while wearing casual attire. Thoracic spasms caused Leonard to leave the game, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. He was even questionable before the game due to a groin issue.

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Even though Kawhi Leonard had been having back problems for some time, according to Lue, he still wanted to play. Although he wasn’t sure if he would play, he persisted, received treatment, and eventually took the court. His absence created the conditions for one of the worst Clippers games of the year, as the team lost 118-100 despite blowing a 22-point lead.

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On Thursday night, the Clippers travel to Chicago, and on Friday night, they play in New Orleans. That matchup is even more crucial because the fourth-seeded Clippers lead the fifth-seeded Pelicans by two games in the Western Conference.

Kawhi Leonard has a terrible history of injuries

For the Clippers, losing Leonard for any length of time is undoubtedly difficult. Sadly, he has endured several injuries over the years, and since the start of the 2017–18 season, he has only appeared in 278 games. Notably, the 32-year-old tore a partial ACL in his right knee in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals versus the Jazz, which prevented him from playing in 2021–2022.

After spending over 16 months on the sidelines due to his ACL injury, Leonard made his full recovery in October 2022. He suffered a torn meniscus and a hip ailment just a year prior. He averaged 23.8 points while playing in 57 of his team’s first 63 games in the 2023-24 season.

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It’s unclear at this time what Leonard’s plans are. Lue said he is “not sure” if Leonard will be leaving with the team for the Clippers’ next two-game road trip. The next chance Leonard has to get back on the court would be on Sunday, March 17 against the Hawks, if he is unable to travel.

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