Within the distance away from the place the media was conducting interviews after the Clippers’ observe on Saturday, Kawhi Leonard was doing rehab work and finally capturing on the courtroom.
Leonard was working with a medication ball, doing drills for his restoration course of from a proper knee harm that has saved him out all season. He jumped rope earlier than capturing.
All of this work is an try and get Leonard enjoying once more for the Clippers.
Nonetheless, the largest query is when will Leonard be enjoying once more?
That put Clippers coach Tyronn Lue within the place of getting to once more reply questions on his star and principally a few report that stated Leonard can be again earlier than Christmas.
“I don’t know,” Lue stated. “I don’t know.”
Lue paused for a second and requested:
“Who said that?”
He was instructed a reporter put that on the market.
Lue was requested will Leonard be again throughout that acknowledged timeframe?
“I don’t know,” Lue stated.
What Lue does know is that Norman Powell (left hamstring) and Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle) will play Sunday evening in opposition to the Houston Rockets at Intuit Dome whereas James Harden is questionable due to some soreness in his proper groin.
Lue did say that Leonard has been on the courtroom capturing and “going through some plays.”
“Just doing all the things he’s supposed to. … He’s got to check all the boxes and do all the right things, not skip any steps,” Lue stated. “So, when he completes that, then we’ll move on.”
Lue didn’t say what number of “boxes” Leonard needed to cross out earlier than he may play.
“Get 100%. I’m not a medical [doctor]. I don’t know,” Lue stated. “I’m not in there lifting and doing all that. He’s out. He’s getting better. He’s on the floor, he’s doing stuff, but he’s not ready to play.”
The Clippers play three video games within the subsequent 14 days. That may give them extra observe and permit extra time for Leonard to probably work out with the group and to maintain checking these bins.
“So, it’s actually really good for us, take advantage of it, get better,” Lue stated. “The time, and hopefully get Kawhi back one of these days.
“We know when Kawhi comes back, he’s a defensive-minded guy who can guard the basketball and guard five different positions, so for him coming into what we’re doing here shouldn’t be a hard thing to get involved.”
Lue admitted that as a result of Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones are such top-notched defenders that when Leonard does return he received’t need to defend the highest gamers immediately and may ease his method again into recreation situation.
“It’s very impactful because now he can focus in on scoring the basketball, not getting tired and when he comes back, what kind of shape is he going to be in,” Lue stated. “So, to have guys that can defend and do things, do the dirty work for Kawhi until he’s able to get to himself, I think it helps out a lot.”
