Stephen A. Smith confronts Clippers coach on ‘worst superstar in history’ Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard's lingering knee issues have kept him away from the 2024-25 NBA season.
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Clippers HC Ty Lue dished on Kawhi Leonard's injury concerns with Stephen A Smith
The Los Angeles Clippers are navigating a tumultuous season, with Kawhi Leonard yet to play a single game due to lingering knee issues. Leonard’s absence comes after a strong 2023-24 season, during which he played 68 games, earned All-NBA honors, and averaged 23.7 points per game. As the shadow of Leonard’s injury status lingers over the future of the team, coach Ty Lue dished on a possible return.
Kawhi Leonard’s status was a major topic on The Stephen A. Smith Show, where host Stephen A. Smith had previously labelled the Clippers player, the ‘worst superstar in the league.’ Clippers HC Tyronn Lue offered insight into the star player’s emotional and physical struggles. Lue revealed that Leonard has been deeply frustrated with his situation, a sentiment that resonated strongly in his conversations with the player.
For him, it’s more frustrating. He wants to be on the floor every single night, and it’s just bad timing. It’s not like we got to the playoffs, and he said, ‘I don’t want to play.’ There’ve been nights when he’s almost crying, feeling like he let the team down. But injuries are beyond anyone’s control.
Ty Lue explained
Ty Lue says there’s been nights where Kawhi Leonard is almost in tears because he thinks his injuries have let the Clippers down.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) December 9, 2024
Lue: “I’ve talked to Kawhi, nights where he’s almost crying just talking about how he’s let the team down.”
?: @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/KmEHGEWv1E
Ty Lue spoke about the emotional toll Leonard’s injuries have taken, not just on the player but also on the organization. He especially emphasized the difficulty of seeing Leonard work tirelessly in rehabilitation and the weight room, only to be unable to suit up when it matters most.
Kawhi Leonard’s injury woes are not new, but the current situation has exacerbated questions about his durability and value to the team. Despite appearing in over 65 games last season and playing some of his best basketball, his postseason availability has been inconsistent since joining the Clippers. With a quarter of the season already done, his availability does not seem to be any closer.
Kawhi Leonard injury update
The Clippers have reported progress in Kawhi Leonard’s recovery. Cleared for on-court activities in November, Leonard has been ramping up his workload, participating in practices, and engaging in light drills. However, there’s no definitive timeline for his return, with rumors suggesting a possible debut before Christmas, although there has been no official update.
Coach Lue has maintained that Leonard will only return once fully cleared, emphasizing the importance of long-term health over short-term gain.
We want him at 100%, not rushing back and risking further setbacks.
Ty Lue noted
Despite Leonard’s absence, the Clippers have managed to stay competitive, currently holding a 14-10 record and sixth place in the Western Conference despite the Clippers’ off-court clashes with Leonard. Key contributors like Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac have stepped up, helping the team remain in playoff contention.
However, the Clippers’ reliance on their depth only goes to show the importance of Kawhi Leonard’s eventual return. Although many have hinted at the possibility of the superstar retiring to preserve his future, his ability to perform at an elite level is crucial for the team’s playoff aspirations, especially as they aim to contend in a stacked Western Conference.
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Armaan Gupta
(324 Articles Published)