Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is questionable for Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks as he continues to deal with a knee injury, head coach Tyronn Lue said Saturday.
Already down 2-1 in their first round series, the Clippers will potentially have to overcome the absence of their superstar forward once again. He missed Game 1 of the series in what turned out to be an impressive win for L.A.
Leonard has struggled since returning in Game 2, finishing with 15 points in that outing and only nine in Game 3.
“It didn’t respond the way we wanted it to,” Leonard said following the 101-90 loss to the Mavericks in Game 3. “Tonight it was either play limited minutes or not play and I wanted to be on the floor to help the team.
“Frustrating that it happened to me this late in the season, but we’re going to keep going and we’re going to get it right.”
The 32-year-old missed the final eight games of the regular season with right knee inflammation. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said it was unrelated to previous medical issues with the same knee. He received an injection in his knee before the playoffs.
Prior to the playoffs, Leonard had the healthiest regular season of his career, playing in 68 games and averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.