To spot Kawhi Leonard in a preseason game is rare. But to spot him playing his best is an event that fans only dream of witnessing. Leonard was sidelined for most of the 2024–25 season with persistent right-knee inflammation, a problem that traces back to his 2019 ACL issues, and he hadn’t taken part in a warm-up game for over a year. So when he showed up in Oceanside against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions, it felt like more than a routine preseason cameo: he scored a team-high 18 points in 18 minutes and looked, at least in flashes, like the Kawhi we know.

That said, context matters. This is a minutes-managed return, not an all-out comeback. Both Leonard and the organization have repeatedly stressed patience: he’s being eased back with strict limits on playing time and contact to reduce the risk of a setback. Coach Ty Lue and the front office have been explicit that long-term availability is the priority over short-term flashes and that cautious handling will frame how the Clippers use him early in the season.

Perkins’ endorsement, “the only way to quiet that noise is by going out there and performing on the floor,”  captures the hopeful sentiment. But tonight’s game is better read as a gauge than a verdict: encouraging minutes and sharp looks are meaningful, but they don’t erase the reality of load management, the team’s financial stakes in preserving a long contract, or the pattern of cautious returns Leonard has had before.

Is Kawhi Leonard playing tonight?

The answer is a resounding yes. After a strong showing in the opener, Leonard will take the court once again as the Clippers face the Denver Nuggets tonight at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This is his hometown, he still lives in San Diego, and fans here are eager to see the two-time Finals MVP back in action. You can expect a true NBA-level matchup, far different from the preseason warm-up against a CBA opponent.

The stakes feel even higher between these teams. Their last encounter was in May 2025, where we saw the Clippers and Nuggets clash in a hard-fought playoff series, where the Nuggets claimed victory with Nikola Jokic often stealing the headlines. A couple of months and many uncertainties later, Kawhi is now on the court, giving his best. Even NBA.com calls him the player to watch for Los Angeles, while Jokic continues to occupy that marquee spot for Denver.

Where to watch the Clippers vs the Nuggets preseason game

The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Denver Nuggets tonight, Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 6:30 PM Pacific Time (9:00 AM IST) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN, which is broadcasting the preseason doubleheader featuring both the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics and the Clippers vs. Nuggets.

This matchup is likely going to be a compelling contest between two Western Conference contenders. The Clippers’ roster brings seasoned players like James Harden, Ivica Zubac, with the veteran presence of Kawhi Leonard.

At 34 years old, he is the oldest player on the team. He has often being labeled as “old,” but Leonard, who usually remains silent amidst controversies, embraced his role, and said, “I’ve been an unc for a long time. Since I was 16 years old,” referring to his very beginning with the Spurs, who boasted of multiple future Hall of famers, such as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

On the other hand, the Nuggets bring a formidable lineup, including reigning MVP Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and new additions like Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., that will enhance their perimeter defense.

Leonard’s ability to find sanctuary in the game will benefit the Clippers, suggesting that the current challenges may lead to the best version of Leonard yet. And we are waiting to see that.