Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been navigating a demanding offseason, grappling with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. This ongoing issue not only affected his performance last season but also forced him to miss pivotal games, significantly impacting the team's playoff run.
During the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks, Leonard's condition flared up, restricting him to just two games in the series. Despite his limited participation, the Clippers were unable to overcome the Mavericks and were eliminated from contention.
Managing the Inflammation
The Clippers have been proactive in managing Leonard's knee inflammation through various treatments initiated last season. Despite these efforts, the inflammation persisted and was particularly problematic during crucial moments.
"I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't," said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations. "It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction."
Focus on Rehabilitation
In a bid to avoid a recurrence of knee inflammation, Leonard will be held out of drills in the upcoming training camp. The team has decided to focus on strengthening and loading his knee, taking a cautious approach to ensure a more sustainable recovery.
"We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position," Frank noted.
The Clippers' strategy for the offseason has been to get Leonard's knee into prime condition. Despite the persistence of the issue, the team believes they are nearing a solution.
"We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer," Frank added.
USA Basketball and Future Plans
Leonard had participated in the training camp with USA Basketball despite his knee problems, a testament to his commitment and resilience. However, understanding the need for focused rehabilitation, USA Basketball replaced Leonard with Derrick White to allow him to concentrate on his recovery with the Clippers.
As of now, there is no confirmed timeline for Leonard's return to regular-season action. The team's primary concern remains his well-being and the long-term management of his knee inflammation.
"I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," Frank explained.
The Clippers and their fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a successful recovery for their star player. Leonard’s health is pivotal not only for his personal career but also for the team’s aspirations in the competitive landscape of the NBA. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Leonard and the measures the Clippers take to support his journey back to the court.