Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is on the verge of making his return to the court.
Clippers head coach confirmed that Leonard is available to play Tuesday in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
“Yeah, he’s playing,” Lue said of Leonard when asked about the All-Star’s status for Game 2.
“He’s done all the necessary things to be on the floor. He’s checked every box. … We’d never put a guy on the floor that’s not ready to go. And so, he’s ready to go.”
Leonard had missed the Clippers’ last nine games — including Game 1 of the series — due to right knee inflammation.
Leonard’s appearance will be the first time the two-time Finals MVP gets to play in front of a full-capacity playoff crowd at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old is in his fifth season with the Clippers. Leonard’s first playoff action with the team was at the 2020 NBA Bubble. He got hurt in the 2021 playoffs before full capacity was allowed.
Leonard played two road games in the 2023 playoffs before getting injured again. The Clippers missed the playoffs entirely in 2022.
The Clippers managed to win Game 1 without Leonard. Their chances of going up 2-0 over the Mavericks are boosted significantly with Leonard back in the lineup.
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