04/28/24 01:52:00
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04/28 13:50 CDT Kawhi Leonard is ruled out with knee issue as Clippers face
Mavs in Game 4
Kawhi Leonard is ruled out with knee issue as Clippers face Mavs in Game 4
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer
DALLAS (AP) --- Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out
of Sunday's Game 4 of a first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, with
no timetable for his return from right knee inflammation.
Leonard played in the second and third games of the series after missing the
final eight games of the regular season and the series opener.
The six-time All-Star never looked comfortable in the Clippers' 101-90 loss in
Game 3, finishing with nine points on just seven shots, his fewest in a playoff
game in 10 years. Leonard played 25 minutes as Dallas took a 2-1 series lead.
"When you watch him play, it was very obvious that is not Kawhi Leonard," team
president Lawrence Frank said before the game, calling the injury "tricky."
He added the Clippers don't know when the 32-year-old's surgically repaired
knee might be ready for a game.
The Clippers won the series opener without Leonard, with James Harden scoring
28 points and going 6 of 11 from 3-point range.
Paul George scored 22 points in each of the first two games before limited to
seven in Game 3. It was just his second playoff game in single digits since
joining the Clippers in 2018-19.
"We've played without Kawhi before," coach Tyronn Lue said. "We can't hang our
heads. We understand what it takes, what we have to do, how we need to play,
the blueprint. And we prepared for both situations. Just thank Kawhi for trying
to get out there and trying to do what he can."
Leonard played 68 regular-season games, the most for the two-time NBA champion
since the 2016-17 season in San Antonio. The knee flared up before LA's first
April game.
"It's definitely devastating for Kawhi, all the work he's put in this year and
the amount of games he's played and worked hard to get to this point, to the
place he wants to be in the playoffs," Lue said. "And then to be hurt and not
be able to be 100% and play the way he's capable of playing. I feel bad for
him."
Leonard, who missed all of 2021-22 with a knee injury, averaged 23.7 points,
6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season and is considered one of the team's
best defenders. He has career playoff averages of 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and
2.9 assists.
"It's frustrating for the players, for the organization, for the fans," Lue
said. "We understand that. It is what it is. Injuries are part of sports.
There's a lot of great players, not just Kawhi, that's out right now during the
playoffs as well. Every team is going through it."
Milwaukee was without All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) and Damian
Lillard (Achilles tendon injury) while facing a 2-1 series deficit Sunday
against Indiana.
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