Ty Lue Sends Message After Kawhi Leonard Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 10:08 PM ET

Key Points:

Kawhi Leonard will miss Tuesday's Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game, resting after a back-to-back.
Leonard tweaked his ankle Monday against Miami but finished the game despite the injury.
Coach Ty Lue spoke about Leonard's ankle status.

Kawhi Leonard will sit out his first game of the new NBA season on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Clippers battle the defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a home game at Intuit Dome. Leonard's absence does not come as a complete shock, considering how it's the second night of a back-to-back set for the Clippers.

On Monday, L.A. suffered a disappointing 120-119 home loss to the Miami Heat. Leonard dropped 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting, four rebounds, four assists, four steals, two blocks and two triples in 37 minutes of action, which was still not enough to carry the Clippers to victory.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up prior to game four of round one of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Leonard, who has a reputation for sitting out back-to-back sets, is set for another night off on Tuesday. As it turns out, however, the customary rest is not the only reason the Clippers decided to have him sit out the Thunder game. The six-time All-Star sustained an injury against the Heat on Monday, tweaking his ankle.

The issue did not seem to be a concern for Leonard, though, as he was able to close out the Miami game. Nevertheless, considering his history with injuries, this development is one that is worth monitoring for the Clippers.

Head Coach Ty Lue spoke to the media before tipoff on Tuesday. When asked for an update on Leonard's ankle injury, the veteran coach had a cryptic response.

“We’ll know more in a couple days,” Lue said, via Clippers reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.

After Tuesday's game against OKC, the Clippers will be back in action on Thursday against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in a road game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Based on Lue's statement, it appears that the next update on Leonard's ankle injury won't come until Thursday at the soonest.

For now, there is no guarantee that Leonard will be able to suit up against the Suns.

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

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