Clippers
The Clippers are hitting pause with Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has been sent back to Los Angeles for treatment on his left knee and will miss the final two games of the team’s road trip, Monday in Washington and Tuesday in Chicago, the team announced, via The Athletic’s Law Murray.
Leonard missed Friday’s overtime win in Toronto with a right ankle sprain and a left knee contusion and is now dealing with knee irritation.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the injury is not considered serious. Leonard suffered the contusion during a January 10 win in Detroit and will be re-evaluated when the Clippers return home Wednesday.
Still, his importance is undeniable. The Clippers are just 3-8 without Leonard this season. With him, they have flipped their year. After starting 6-21, Los Angeles has gone 12-2 to climb back into the play-in mix.
Leonard has played 30 games and is averaging a career-high 28.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
With Leonard out, two-way players Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller are expected to continue seeing expanded roles.
Timberwolves
The Timberwolves were without Naz Reid for most of Saturday’s loss in San Antonio.
Reid was ruled out after just five minutes due to soreness in his left shoulder. There is no word yet on whether the injury will cost him additional time.
The timing is unfortunate. Reid had been on a tear, averaging 21.5 points on blistering efficiency over his previous four games while filling in for Rudy Gobert.
Mavericks
The Mavericks welcomed back Max Christie, and the impact was immediate.
Christie returned from a two-game absence caused by illness and poured in 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting in an 18-point win over Utah. He added four assists, two rebounds, and two steals and finished plus-29 in 26 minutes.
“He’s one of our best shooters and most athletic guys,” coach Jason Kidd said. “But we missed him on the defensive end, too.”
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