The Los Angeles Clippers will be playing minus their best player again this Thursday, as Kawhi Leonard has been declared out for the showdown at home versus the visiting Denver Nuggets, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
Clippers list Kawhi Leonard as out with right knee soreness from game against Nuggets Thursday night
Los Angeles Clippers to Moss Services of Kahwi Leonard vs. Defending NBA Champions Nuggets
The same knee issue forced Leonard to sit out Tuesday’s game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings. Without Leonard, the Clippers failed to overcome the Kings on the road, with Los Angeles absorbing a 109-95 loss.
After the Kings game, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said that he was hoping Leonard would be able to give it a go against the Nuggets, but that is obviously not going to be the case following the ruling on the player’s availability this Thursday.
Mar 31, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The Clippers shot terribly in the Kings game, as LA went just 40.8 percent from the field. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with 20 points off the bench, while Paul George had 18 points. Norman Powell started in place of Leonard and provided 17 points in 28 minutes. He can be expected to get another nod to start against Denver, with Leonard sitting out anew.
Meanwhile, James Harden remotely looked like the MVP he was before, as he only had seven points on a salty 1/7 shooting from the floor, though he had eight points and five rebounds.
The Clippers will enter the date with Denver with a 47-28 record — good for fourth in the Western Conference standings and just two games and two and a half games in front of the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, respectively.
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