Kawhi Leonard Will Be ‘Ready For Next Season,’ Lawrence Frank Says

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will be ready for next season after suffering an MCL tear, head of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said, via Andrew Grief of the LA Times.

Leonard missed the final three games of the Clippers’ first-round series vs. the Suns. After winning Game 1 with Leonard, the Clippers lost four straight. They found out the extent of Leonard’s injury after Game 2, Frank told reporters.

Lawrence Frank said really likes their roster. He says he wants to build around size, skill, high IQs, and toughness.

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) April 27, 2023

“Regardless of the treatment, Kawhi will be ready for next year,” Frank said, via Mark Medina of The Sporting Tribune.

Along with Leonard, fellow star forward Paul George was sidelined with a sprained knee, missing the entire series vs. the Suns.

Clearly, the Clippers could not become everything they hoped minus their two best players.

“They’re maniacal in terms of the work they put into their bodies,” Frank said, via Medina. “They do everything they can to make sure they’re ready for the postseason.”

At the time of the injury, Leonard led the NBA playoffs in scoring at 34.5 points (two games). 

As we relayed here, the Clippers are also hoping that free agent point guard Russell Westbrook will return, Frank said. (Full post.)

Clippers' Lawrence Frank: "We have to be honest with ourselves. We have to look in the mirror. It starts with me. We have to get back to honoring & respecting the regular season."

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 27, 2023