Although he’s dealing with an adductor strain that has lingered for the past month, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard hinted at his status for Sunday’s All-Star game.
Leonard said he plans to play “for a little bit” in Sunday’s East vs. West exhibition.
The six-time All Star was selected to his first All-Star game since 2021 while averaging 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 48 games this season.
He played 52 games last season after returning from a torn ACL he suffered in his right knee on June 14, 2021.
Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season and was not selected last season, meaning this is his first All-Star appearance since suffering the severe knee injury,
The San Diego State alumnus has averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in five career All-Star games in his career. He scored 30 points and hit 8 threes in 20 minutes in the Feb. 16, 2020 All-Star game.
It’s safe to say it would be a surprise if he played anything close to those minutes in this contest.
The Clippers (36-17) will want their star forward healthy for the stretch run as they currently sit in third place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Nuggets and a half game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Without a doubt, the team has provided strict instructions on a minutes limit to Western Conference head coach Chris Finch.
Leonard carries a SIC score of 73, meaning expect him to play roughly 70% of what his usual minutes would be in the All-Star game.
The extra rest before the Clippers’ next contest should allow for Leonard to recuperate enough to play his usual minutes on Thursday against the Thunder, but it’s an issue the team will have to manage the rest of the season.
