The Los Angeles Clippers already had a difficult job to carry out, and they’ve received terrible news ahead of Game 3 of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.
Kawhi Leonard, their best player, has been ruled out for tonight’s game due to a right knee sprain. This isn’t by any means the best news for the Clippers, who already were playing without Paul George.
“Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for tonight with a right knee sprain according to source,” Ohm Youngmisuk reports.
Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for tonight with a right knee sprain according to source.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) April 20, 2023
This is terrible for the Los Angelenos team, who already had snatched Game 1 of this series behind Kawhi’s 38 points. Now, they’ll have to put in extra effort to try to stop Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul.
Adrian Wojnarowski adds that Leonard aggravated this injury in Game 1 of this series, then played through it in Game 2, and now will miss the third game of this first-round showdown.
Leonard aggravated knee in Game 1, played through it in Game 2 and is expected to be day-to-day ahead of Game 4 on Saturday, source tells ESPN. Injury isn't related to his previous ACL injury. https://t.co/v7mXgQLokN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2023
Russell Westbrook has shown time and time again that he’s willing to play any role the team gives him, and it seems like he’ll have to lead the charge tonight against the overpowered Suns. Russ was unbelievable on defense in the first two games of the series, but now he’ll have to become the best possible two-way player he can be to take his team to the win.
Kawhi Leonard Was Playing Heavy Minutes During This Series
Before picking up this injury, Kawhi was playing great basketball, posting 31 points in Game 2 of the series. Tyronn Lue said they prepared all season for this moment, but now the situation looks complex for them. It’s unclear if his heavy minutes played a role in this injury, but this is definitely not good for the Clippers.
They will play in front of their fans, which can give them a certain advantage, but they will have to pull off a Memphis Grizzlies or Milwaukee Bucks tonight if they want to put pressure on the Suns.
This injury came at the worst moment for the Clips, who now will be led by their third star since Paul George is also inactive. A win tonight will be important for both teams, and whoever gets the dub will get a huge boost for the rest of the series.
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