LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery in July 2021 to repair a partially torn right ACL but the new year has brought upon a positive update regarding his status.
While ACL injuries typically take a full calendar year to recover, Yahoo's Chris Haynes reported that Leonard is ahead of schedule in his rehab, making it a "strong possibility" that he returns to action during the 2021-22 NBA season.
Sources: My @NBAonTNT report on Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard now ahead of schedule in rehab from a torn ACL with a strong possibility of a return this season. pic.twitter.com/geyUX5Rgkv
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 7, 2022
MORE: Expert medical analysis on Kawhi Leonard's ACL injury
Here's everything we know about his injury.
Kawhi Leonard's injury timeline
Leonard suffered the right knee injury after landing awkwardly in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' Game 4 victory over the Jazz on June 14 to even the series. Leonard stayed in the game for a few moments, but LA's commanding lead allowed him to head to the bench earlier than usual in the final frame.
After the game, Leonard was asked about the injury by TNT's Inside the NBA crew, to which he responded, "I'll be good."
Two days later, on Wednesday (June 16), ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne reported that Leonard is expected to miss Game 5 due to the right knee injury. Shortly thereafter, the Clippers confirmed that report, stating that Leonard will not be available for LA in Game 5 and there is no timetable for a return.
Leonard missed the Clippers' final eight postseason games and shortly after he went down, The Athletic's Shams Charania suggested there is fear Leonard had suffered an ACL injury, leaving him out indefinitely.
The star forward had been one of the best players in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, averaging 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from 3-point range.
Kawhi Leonard's injury history
Leonard appeared in 52 of 72 available games for the Clippers during the 2020-21 NBA season, with zero of his 20 absences related to any sort of knee injury.
He missed a pair of games back in January with a mouth laceration and three games back in February with lower back soreness, among a few typical rest days throughout the season.
His only lower-body injury reported this season was a sore right foot, which caused the star forward to miss nine games in April.
How long will Kawhi Leonard be out?
On Sept. 26, LA Clippers President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank provided a preseason update on Leonard, reiterating that there is still no timetable for Leonard to return to the court this season.
"I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the time frame," Frank said, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk . "You just attack it day by day. He has a very detailed plan with a great group, and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time."
According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk , Leonard described his injury as "day to day” when asked if he'll return during the 2021-22 season. He also stated that the biggest challenge was being injured when he didn't feel like he was injured.
Per a report from Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes on Jan. 6, 2022, Leonard is far ahead of schedule on his recovery and could return to the court for the Clippers this season.
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