“Load managed all season to miss playoff games” – NBA Twitter UPSET with Kawhi Leonard after latest injury update about Clippers star

Leonard was sidelined for Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns.


“Load managed all season to miss playoff games” – NBA Twitter UPSET with Kawhi Leonard after latest injury update about Clippers star

Kawhi Leonard (Ben Margot/AP)

The playoff series between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers has been an intense back-and-forth affair. The Clippers took Game 1 in Phoenix, after which the Suns answered back in Game 2 to even out the series. Game 3 was a tough battle, despite Los Angeles missing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. In the end, the Suns managed to squeeze a win and take a 2-1 lead ahead of Game 4 in LA.

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Russell Westbrook has been in stellar form, leaving it all on the floor. He was lauded for his Game 1 performance, especially for being the most effective player on the defensive end for the Clippers. In Game 3, Westbrook dropped 30 points alongside Norman Powell’s 42-point masterpiece. Despite incredible performances from the team’s role players, the Clippers likely don’t stand a chance in this series without Leonard taking the floor. But his continued absence is tilting the scale in Phoenix’s favor with every passing game.

Leonard reportedly suffered a knee sprain in Game 1. He managed to lace up for Game 2 but couldn’t go on after that. Leonard missed Game 3 and his latest injury report states that he won’t be playing a crucial Game 4 at home. This puts the Clippers in a precarious position.

Leonard was in his element in the first two games, and with him in form, the series seemed to be heading to a seven-game thriller. But it would be tough for the Clippers to extend the series in his absence. The Clippers managed Leonard’s game load all year long to ensure he was fit and healthy to feature heavily in the playoffs. But his and George’s absence has all but ended Los Angeles’ hope of ending the team’s title duck.

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Kawhi Leonard’s load management paying no dividends

Kawhi Leonard (center), Kevin Durant (left), Josh Okogie (right)
Kawhi Leonard (center), Kevin Durant (left), Josh Okogie (right)

Despite missing numerous games due to load management, Leonard’s injury woes continue to haunt him. He was mostly inactive for the first 24 games and went on to miss games in-between after he returned from injury. He has a history of sitting out for a large chunk of the regular season. Fans on social media did not hold back in their criticism of the Clippers superstar for his unavailability for Game 4.

Game 4 will feel like a mountain to climb for the Clippers. They will rely on Russell Westbrook, Norman Powell, and the rest of the roster to level the series at 2-2 before the teams head back to Phoenix for Game 5. If LA fails to win, the Suns will have two opportunities to close the series at home, making the Clippers’ task almost impossible.

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