Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is navigating a challenging offseason as he deals with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. This ongoing issue had a significant impact on Leonard's participation last season, forcing him to miss critical games. The Clippers have since implemented various treatments aimed at managing his condition.
Treatment and Management
The knee inflammation first became a significant problem for Leonard during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks. His condition was so severe that it limited him to just two games in the series, ultimately contributing to the Clippers' loss against the Mavericks. The team's president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, shed light on the situation, stating, "I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't."
Preventative Measures
In an effort to prevent the recurrence of knee inflammation, Leonard will be held out of drills in the upcoming training camp. The Clippers' strategy is to focus on strengthening and loading Leonard's knee, a plan they believe will yield better results. "We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position," Frank elaborated.
Participation with USA Basketball
Despite his knee troubles, Leonard participated in training camp with USA Basketball. However, the persistent inflammation led to a strategic change. USA Basketball replaced Leonard with Derrick White to allow him to concentrate on his rehabilitation with the Clippers. This move underscores the delicate balance between participation and recovery that Leonard must maintain.
Outlook for the Future
The Clippers have spent the offseason working diligently to ensure Leonard's knee is in the best possible condition. Frank expressed cautious optimism about Leonard's progress, saying, "We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer."
While there is hope, there remains no confirmed timeline for Leonard's return to regular-season action. The approach going forward will be heavily dictated by how his knee responds to each phase of rehabilitation. "I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," Frank noted.
As Leonard continues his journey through recovery, the Clippers and their fans remain hopeful that he will soon return to the court fully healthy. For now, the focus remains on managing his condition and avoiding any setbacks that could jeopardize his long-term health and playing career.