Kawhi Leonard Out Indefinitely to Start Season Due to Knee Inflammation

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season due to ongoing inflammation in his right knee, according to reports from ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk and Shams Charania.

Leonard has already been ruled out for the entirety of the Clippers' five-game preseason schedule, which concludes this Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. The team is set to open its regular season at home on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns in the newly constructed Intuit Dome.

Leonard's knee, which has required multiple surgeries, has continued to be a concern during the offseason. The 33-year-old was initially invited to USA Basketball's training camp for the Summer Olympics, but he was sent home and replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White due to worries about the condition of his knee.

This marks the third procedure on Leonard's right knee in four years, following a series of injuries that have impacted his availability. Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, noted in September that while the inflammation had decreased somewhat, Leonard would be limited during training camp as part of his rehab process. "His inflammation subsided slightly, but we're prioritizing rehab," said Frank.

On Monday, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed Leonard would miss the remainder of the preseason, but he did not provide specifics regarding Leonard's return or next steps in his recovery.

Leonard's knee problems have been a recurring issue. During the Clippers' first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks in April 2024, he missed four of six games due to inflammation. While Leonard played in Games 2 and 3, his performance appeared limited, scoring 24 points across both games on 11-of-24 shooting, including 0-of-5 from three-point range. The Clippers lost both matchups.

The history of Leonard's right knee injuries dates back to July 2021, when he underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL, which caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. He returned for the 2022-23 campaign, but during the first-round playoff series against the Suns in 2023, Leonard tore his meniscus, sidelining him for the final three games of the series, which the Clippers lost in five.

In January 2024, Leonard signed a three-year contract extension with the Clippers, worth a reported $152.4 million, fully guaranteed through the 2026-27 season.