Clippers Tough Losses Show the Importance of Kawhi Leonard’s Recent Workouts

While the Clippers have had several reasons to be pessimistic about the 2024 season since losing Paul George in free agency, they’ve bounced back quite well. The team has a strong roster largely held up by James Harden and Norman Powell, and they know how to leverage tenacious defense in order to win games.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

That combination is a solid formula, and it’s one that’s worked well over the past few weeks. However, their previous two games shows the team still has room to improve.

Los Angeles is coming off a pair of tough losses, the first of which sent off panic bells throughout the organization. The team fell at home to the Timberwolves where they put up just 80 points in a 30 point blowout.

The Clippers were down 86-50 heading into the fourth quarter, and never got close to coming back. Their stars couldn’t shoot, their bench players floundered, and even their stout defense faltered.

They then followed that effort with a 117-106 loss to the Rockets where they stayed down most of the game and couldn’t seem to close the gap. Such defeats add up throughout the season, and show why it’s important to have someone who can carry the team in tough situations.

That’s where Kawhi Leonard comes in.

A Great, but Hamstrung, Star

Los Angeles has built a winning record by playing well-rounded basketball. Even so, while their 14-11 record might get them into the postseason, they are clearly missing the special superstar talent that takes top teams on deep playoff runs.

Luckily for them, unlike many organizations who need to trade for that talent, they have one waiting in the wings. Kawhi Leonard has long been one of the best guards in the NBA, and there’s no reason to think he won’t be his old self when he returns.

The guard averaged 23.7 points per game last season, and has averaged 30 points per game for the Clippers in the postseason. He also pulled in more than six rebounds a game and dished out nearly four assists. His only issue is his health.

Leonard has not finished a single postseason healthy since 2020, and has missed plenty of games each year with the Clippers. There’s also a lot of concern about the knee injury that sidelined him in the offseason.

Fans have plenty of reason to be skeptical about his injury timeline, but for the first time this year it seems he’s closing in on returning to the court.

That could be just what the Clippers need.

Good News on the Way

The Rockets and Timberwolves losses showed the Clippers are good but not great. They might get some wins or go on runs, but they simply don’t have the depth to stick with stronger teams. Luckily, that uncertainty could soon be over.

Recent footage posted online showed Leonard working out at the Clippers stadium, which means he’s getting closer to getting back on the court. He wasn’t pushing his body in a big way or doing anything too extreme, but he took some shots, dribbled well, and worked against a defender.

He also put up some free throws and did some standard shooting drills. That’s not a huge deal in a vacuum, but for Clippers fans it’s what they’ve been wanting for a long time. It means his knee injury is healing and there’s a chance he will be on the court before the season ends.

A Few Months Out

The video shows that Leonard is definitely trending in the right direction, and coach Tyronn Lue recently stated they do expect him back at some point. That would boost the Clippers and, if they can stay in the playoff picture, could be the key piece that elevates them down the stretch.

Unfortunately, as much optimism as there is surrounding the footage, the Clippers still have no set timeline for the superstar. His drills are progressing, but knee injuries are tricky and there’s no reason to rush his rehab.

“He’s just doing all the things he’s supposed to,” Lue said when speaking about Leonard’s rehab. “He’s got to check all the boxes and do all the right things, not skip any steps…He’s on the floor, he’s doing stuff, but he’s not ready to play.”

Even without a set timeline, fans will be excited about the news. The NBA is a marathon, not a sprint. If the Clippers can use their formula to stick around for a while, the tandem of Harden and Leonard might be the special sauce that makes them a try contender.

It’s just going to take a few more months to see if that happens.