After suffering a knee injury during Game 4 against the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said, “I’ll be good.”
Well, he isn’t “good” and will reportedly miss Wednesday’s Game 5 because of the injury, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne. His status for the remainder of the series is also in doubt.
Leonard sat out the final 4:35 of the Clippers’ Game 4 win after colliding with Jazz wing Joe Ingles. He bumped his knee while driving to the basket and was grimacing before being taken out.
Losing Leonard is a massive blow for the Clippers. The 29-year-old is averaging 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this postseason while shooting 57.3% from the field and 39.3% from deep.
Leonard suffered a quad tendon injury in his right knee in 2017 and has dealt with issues in his left knee more recently. According to ESPN, the five-time All-Star informed his teammates he would be unavailable for Game 5 late Tuesday night.
The Clippers are already without Serge Ibaka, who underwent back surgery last week. They’ll need Marcus Morris and Nicolas Batum, among others, to step up in Leonard’s absence.
The Clippers and Jazz are tied 2-2, and Game 7 will take place on Sunday if needed.
