Kawhi Leonard was back on the Clippers' injury report, but he was not dealing with a knee issue this time around.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP, who missed the entire 2021-22 season as he recovered from a partially torn ACL, had been sidelined for another stretch of games after suffering an ankle injury.
Los Angeles was able to stay afloat without Leonard, but the Clippers know that they won't be a legitimate championship contender until he is a consistent part of the rotation.
Here's everything we know about Leonard's injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
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What is Kawhi Leonard's injury?
Leonard has been listed as out on recent injury reports with a right ankle sprain. He has missed six games with the ankle sprain after sitting out 13 games earlier in the season because of right knee injury management.
Dating back to the start of the 2021-22 campaign, Leonard has not been available for 101 of the Clippers' last 106 regular season games.
How long will Kawhi Leonard be out?
According to The Charlotte Observer's Rod Boone, head coach Ty Lue said Kawhi Leonard will be available for Monday, Dec. 5's game against the Hornets.
Clippers coach Ty Lue said eveyone except Norman Powell is available tonight vs the #Hornets. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Luke Kennard were all questionable, but they are good to go. Lue said they will all have
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 5, 2022
Just last week, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reported that Leonard was back at practice and "on the verge of returning to action." He ended up missing the Clippers' first home game back from a quick two-game road trip on Saturday, but has made enough progress to retake the floor in Charlotte on Monday.
Through five games, Leonard is averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.2 percent from the field.
Clippers schedule 2022-23
Here are Los Angeles' next 10 games of the 2022-23 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 5 | at Hornets | 7 p.m. |
| Dec. 7 | at Magic | 7 p.m. |
| Dec. 8 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 10 | at Wizards | 7 p.m. |
| Dec. 12 | vs. Celtics | 10:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 14 | vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Suns | 10:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 17 | vs. Wizards | 4 p.m. |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Hornets | 10:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 23 | at 76ers | 7 p.m. |
Kawhi Leonard career stats, highlights
- 19.2 points per game
- 6.4 rebounds per game
- 2.9 assists per game
- 1.7 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 1.6 turnovers per game
- 31.2 minutes per game
- 49.3 percent shooting
- 38.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 85.8 percent free throw shooting
