Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has had a turbulent offseason, dealing with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. The team has been grappling with management strategies for this issue since last season, implementing various treatments to alleviate the inflammation that has limited Leonard's playing time.
Playoff Setbacks
Leonard's knee problems were particularly evident during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks. The inflammation was so severe that it confined him to just two games in the series, a significant blow to the Clippers, who ultimately lost the series. This setback was a stark reminder of the knee issues that have plagued Leonard post-surgery, thwarting his attempts to make a full recovery.
"I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress," said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations. "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. It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction."
Rehabilitation Focus
Moving forward, the Clippers have decided to take a cautious approach. Leonard is set to miss drills during the upcoming training camp as a preventive measure to avoid a recurrence of the inflammation. The team's focus has shifted to strengthening and loading Leonard's knee to ensure its durability.
"We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading," Frank emphasized. "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."
USA Basketball Dilemma
Despite the ongoing knee issues, Leonard participated in training camp with USA Basketball. However, recognizing the necessity for focused rehabilitation, USA Basketball replaced Leonard with Derrick White, allowing Leonard to concentrate on his recovery with the Clippers. This decision underscores the priority being placed on Leonard's long-term health over immediate participation in competitions.
Frank reflected on this period: "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."
Uncertain Timeline
As the new season approaches, there remains no confirmed timeline for Leonard’s return to regular-season action. The Clippers are proceeding with a sense of caution, closely monitoring how Leonard's knee responds to each phase of his rehabilitation. This careful management is crucial, given the unpredictable nature of inflammation and the need to avoid further injury.
"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 remarked, highlighting the uncertainty that still clouds Leonard's recovery journey.
The Clippers and their fans are hopeful that Leonard will soon return to peak form, but for now, the focus remains on ensuring his knee is fully recovered. The team's methodical approach aims to prevent a recurrence of the issues that have troubled Leonard, with the ultimate goal of seeing their star player back on the court fully fit and ready to compete.