It’s been 245 days since Kawhi Leonard last played an NBA game. After a long road to recovery, The Klaw is finally closer than ever to a return to the court. And what better way than announcing it on social media with a cinematic video?

Earlier today, the Clippers star shared a post on X, teasing his return. In the 1:04 minute video, Leonard was seen meeting himself, who was fishing.“We’ve got exciting news coming out of Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard looks to be returning to the court pretty soon,” a voice announces on the radio at the beginning of the clip.

The highlight of the conversation is undoubtedly when Leonard’s double says, “There’s been good days, there’s been bad days, but I keep coming back,” reflecting his inner thoughts and emotions.

In case you’re wondering, the clip is a commercial for New Balance. The forward can be spotted wearing the brand’s Kawhi 4 shoes from his new signature collection that launched this year. But it’s also a signal for his return to the hardwood, and the fans couldn’t hold back their feelings.

Fans buzz in excitement following Kawhi Leonard’s video

“HE HAS RISEN 😭 !!!!!” an emotional fan exclaimed, seeing the 33-year-old making his much-awaited comeback. When Kawhi exited after Game 3 against the Mavericks in the 2024 Playoffs due to a right knee injury, no one could have imagined it would take him this long to return. He was believed to be ready to join the USAB Team for the Paris Olympics this summer, but before he could suit up, he was forced to step down due to the lingering effects of the injury.

Another fan wrote, “Returned to twitter before the court.” Leonard not only took a break from the court but also from X, staying absent from the social media platform for quite some years now (allegedly since 2015). However, he now has a new account, and his followers quickly began to increase as news spread that the 2-time champion was back. Other fans quickly joined in, sharing their excitement and sentiments on the post.

“Kawhi is Back 🔥🔥🔥,” read one of the comments. Leonard is close to returning, but not just yet. According to reports, he will miss the next four games for the Clippers. He won’t be playing against the Warriors tonight. Moreover, Clippers head coach Ty Lue confirmed that the hooper wouldn’t be joining them on their 3-game road trip. However, he remained optimistic about the veteran’s eventual return. So, the fan pointed out that the small forward made his X comeback before returning to the court.

Some even created memes, writing, “Kawhi back on Twitter before Pelinka made a trade.” Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has been hesitant to make any moves despite constant rumors about the team seeking potential candidates. So, jokingly, the fan pointed out that before Pelinka could make a trade, Leonard made his comeback on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, another fan shared a clip showing three people running toward something, captioning it, “MY GOAT IS BACK.” This could mean that they were rushing to follow the basketball icon on the platform.

The Clippers didn’t seem overly weak following Kawhi’s departure, but his return would undoubtedly add the depth they’ve been missing. Do you think the 6-time All-Star’s comeback could propel the franchise to greater heights, or will it be more of the same? Let us know your thoughts below!