Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Leaves Team To Get Treatment On Knee

Kawhi Leonard has left the Los Angeles Clippers to get treatment on his right knee. The two-time NBA champion is dealing with soreness in his right knee. 

The Clippers face the Sacramento Kings tonight (4/2). 

Ty Lue says Kawhi Leonard’s right knee soreness is something new that popped up after the last game. He went back to Los Angeles for better treatment. Lue hopes Leonard can play Thursday against the Nuggets.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 2, 2024

Leonard is averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season for the Clippers while shooting 52.5% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line. 

The Clippers are 47-27. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. 

LAC signed Leonard to a three-year, $149 million extension in January. The Clippers have until June 30 to sign Paul George to an extension.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, George is expected to remain with the Clippers “for several more years.”

There have been some NBA rumors that George could leave the Clippers this summer for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Siegel is reporting that George will stay with LAC. 

“The belief coming from Los Angeles is that there is nothing to worry about, and George will be with the organization for several more years, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Even before he has to make a decision on his $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season, George can receive a four-year extension that will pay him upwards of $220 million, aligning him with Leonard’s contract.”

George can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Clippers worth $48.8 million.

Leonard and George have been teammates since 2019-20. LAC signed Leonard in free agency and acquired George from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Clippers lost in the second round of the 2020 playoffs to the Denver Nuggets, fell in the 2021 Western Conference Finals to the Phoenix Suns, missed the postseason in 2022 and lost in the first round of the 2023 playoffs to the Suns. 

George is averaging 22.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks this season while shooting 47.1% from the floor, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.0% from the free-throw line. The Fresno State product is making $45.6 million.