Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has officially been ruled out for Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks due to knee inflammation.
Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season, and last played in a game on March 31.
The fourth-seeded Clippers are set to open yet another playoff series against the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.
“Progress has been made but the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Thursday. “We’re hopeful he’s going to get there.”
He had an injection in his knee earlier this month, The Athletic reported Thursday, citing unspecified league sources.
“We don’t comment on any specific treatments,” Frank said. “He’s doing everything he can and we’re doing everything we can medically.”
Leonard has participated in film sessions and reviews of the Mavs' personnel, but he hasn't been able to have any contact on the court, Frank said.
The two-time Finals MVP played in 68 games this season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for the Clippers.
Last season, Leonard played in the first game of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns before missing the final three games with a torn meniscus in his right knee.
In the 2021 playoffs, Leonard sprained his knee against Utah in the Western Conference semifinals. The Clippers beat the Jazz and advanced to the Conference finals for the first time, losing to Phoenix in six games.
He then missed all of the 2021-22 season after recovering from a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee.
— With files from The Associated Press
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