JUST IN: The Clippers have ruled out Kawhi Leonard for Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks.
PLAYA VISTA, CA — According to coach Ty Lue, LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will miss his second straight game and will be out again on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5.
Leonard will not practice on Tuesday, according to Lue, because he is still dealing with discomfort in his surgically repaired right knee.
Leonard did not play in Game 4 in Dallas, which the Clippers won 116-111 to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Paul George and James Harden carried the weight, combining for 66 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds.
After missing the final eight regular-season games and Game 1 of the series, Leonard returned to play 35 minutes and score 15 points in Game 2. But Leonard said his knee did not respond as he had intended. Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, stated that Leonard had swelling.
The two-time Finals MVP gutted out 25 minutes and had nine points and nine rebounds but clearly did not move like his normal self in Game 3. Frank announced Sunday that Leonard will be out until he is able to move like he did in Game 2 and his return is uncertain.
Leonard, according to Lue, remains an important member of the team’s bench.
“I mean, he keeps himself involved,” Lue explained. “Just being in the shootarounds, the practices, and understanding what we’re trying to accomplish.
“So when guys make mistakes, when they come out of the game, he can talk to them and inform them. Also, let them know what he sees with PG and James. And he’s been really vocal. Even though he isn’t playing, he has been a huge assistance to us.
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