Kawhi Leonard left the game in the first half in the Los Angeles Clippers‘s damaging loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite overcoming a 21-point deficit, Leonard’s mysterious absence stole the spotlight from the Wolves’ triumph. Now, the Clippers take the show on the road to face the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, and concerns about Kawhi’s absence are on red alert.

In a recent update on X, Sams Charania has some damning claims about the former NBA champion’s availability. “[Kawhi Leonard] left the game with back spasms… Clippers play at the Bulls Thursday, and then they play at the Pelicans Friday, does Kawhi Leonard even make the trip, given he couldn’t even sit on the bench,” read the caption. The finals MVP was listed as questionable even before the game with a “left groin soreness”, but he sustained a back injury instead in the end of the first quarter.

While the Clippers have considerable depth without Leonard, with the scoring capabilities of James Harden and Russell Westbrook, the loss against the Wolves proves the team’s need for him. When the Klaw left the court, the LA was up 15 points, but shortly after they suffered 10-0 runs on the back of a heroic 37-point effort by Ant-Man. The game ended with the Clippers losing by 18 points despite leading the game comfortably in the first half. Leonard’s absence sparked a barrage of turnovers from the team, which wouldn’t have happened with him on the floor. If LA wants to make a deep run in the playoffs, the availability of Kawhi has to be a no-brainer.

Kawhi Leonard’s Playoff Stats

Throughout his playoff career spanning 137 games, Leonard has maintained an impressive average of 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. His playoff dominance stems from his adeptness across various scoring avenues, each finely tuned to maximize efficiency in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s his sharpshooting in spot-up situations, where he boasts an impressive 1.13 points per possession, or his ability to thrive in transition, averaging 1.27 points per possession, Leonard consistently delivers when it matters most. His skill in isolations (1.19 PPP) and orchestrating pick-and-roll plays as the ball handler (1.04 PPP) further exemplifies his scoring versatility.

However, what truly distinguishes Leonard is his seamless integration of efficiency with adaptability, a quality that becomes indispensable as playoff defenses intensify and scoring opportunities dwindle. With spot-up plays accounting for 18.21% of his offensive repertoire, isolations for 17.1%, transition for 17%, and pick-and-roll situations for 16.7%, Leonard’s multifaceted approach cements his status as a playoff-tested scorer, capable of navigating through any defensive scheme with finesse and resilience. So, do you think the Clippers stand a chance without Leonard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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What Happened to Kawhi Leonard? Clippers Star’s Healthy Run Derailed in Timberwolves Clash