Clippers Make Kawhi Leonard Announcement on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 21, 2026 7:17 PM ET

Kawhi Leonard watched on as Darius Garland and the Los Angeles Clippers suffered a fourth-straight loss, falling to Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans 105-99 on Thursday. Now, the Clippers have turned their attention to Saturday night's matchup, facing Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on the road.

The Clippers enters Saturday's game with a 34-36 record on the 2025-26 NBA season, sitting one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for the No. 9 seed. But despite the unfortunate record for Los Angeles, Leonard has remained one of the best players in the league. In 54 games played, the former San Diego State star is averaging a career-high 28.2 points on 50.4% shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2)© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

During the Clippers’ 118-109 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 14, Leonard suffered a left ankle sprain early in the fourth quarter. The injury forced him to miss the next matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, a 119-115 loss, but Leonard returned two days later, on March 18, to face the Pelicans.

However, in the second consecutive game against New Orleans on Thursday, Leonard was forced to watch from the sideline due to the lingering ankle injury. Heading into Saturday’s game against the Mavericks, the forward was listed as questionable. But just hours before tipoff, Leonard was deemed healthy enough to play and was officially ruled active against Dallas.

"Kawhi Leonard is AVAILABLE tonight for the @LAClippers in Dallas," Clippers sideline reporter Lauren Rosen wrote on X.

Kawhi Leonard is AVAILABLE tonight for the @LAClippers in Dallas.
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) March 21, 2026

Following the Mavericks game, Leonard and the Clippers will return to Los Angeles to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: