All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard has a right knee injury that will keep him out of the LA Clippers’ lineup for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Wednesday (ET), the team announced.
Leonard was not listed on the injury report that the Clippers filed with the league Tuesday, but an update on Wednesday listed Leonard as out indefinitely.
ESPN was first to report the injury.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Game 5 against the Jazz tonight with a knee injury suffered in game 4, sources tell @ramonashelburne & me. His status for rest of series is in doubt as well.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 16, 2021
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Clippers “fear” that Leonard has suffered an ACL injury.
Clippers fear All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has suffered an ACL injury, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. He is out indefinitely.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2021
Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, is averaging 30.4 points on 57% shooting in the playoffs.
The injury appeared to occur with about 5:20 left in Game 4 of the series against Utah on Monday, when he was fouled on a drive by Utah’s Bojan Bogdanovic. Leonard was dribbling into the lane when he was bumped, and his right knee appeared to buckle slightly. He grimaced in some discomfort, missed the two free throws that were awarded following the foul, but remained in the game for 45 more seconds.
He checked out with 4:35 remaining and did not return; the Clippers led by 16 points when he checked out and the lead remained in double figures the rest of the way.
After missing Game 5, which the Clippers impressively won in his absence, he is also declared 'OUT' for Game 6.
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