'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
LA Clippers fans have been anticipating Kawhi Leonard's long-awaited return this season. Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a right knee injury. While he returned for his team's opening game against the LA Lakers on Oct. 20, he only played 21 minutes.
Apparently, head coach Tyronn Lue is still placing Kawhi Leonard under load management because of his right knee. According to Sports Illustrated, the LA Clippers star is still feeling some tightness in his knee.
The organization doesn't want to take any risks, which is why they are being cautious with Leonard at the moment.
Against the Lakers, Leonard scored 14 points on 50% shooting from the field. He also had seven rebounds before exiting the game. "The Klaw" then missed the next game against the Sacramento Kings.
He played against the Phoenix Suns after that and put up 11 points, six rebounds and two steals in just over 20 minutes.
Leonard hasn't played since the match against the Suns. The Clippers expect him to return by Nov. 7 for their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The LA Clippers struggle without Kawhi Leonard
The LA Clippers are off to a slow start this season. They are currently 3-4 after the win over the Houston Rockets. Leonard's absence is one major factor why the team is struggling at the moment. Paul George has had an inconsistent start to the season and new signing John Wall could take some time to get up to speed with his new teammates.
George had two impressive games this season. The first being against the Sacramento Kings when he erupted for 40 points. His next scoring outburst was in their recent game against the Rockets, where he scored 35 points. Sounds normal for a guy like George, however, he hasn't been consistently putting up those numbers.
George's worst performance this season was against the OKC Thunder, where he put up only 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
On the other hand, John Wall has also missed two games so far this season. He is currently averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. Not many are expecting Wall to return to his All-Star form anytime soon, but the LA Clippers need him to perform better while Leonard is out.
