Is Kawhi Leonard Playing Game 1 vs Mavs? 2x Champ’s Availability For West’s Blockbuster

As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to visit the LA Clippers for Game 1, it seems Kawhi Leonard might not suit up. The veteran forward has been the favorite child of injuries for a very long time. And just when it looked like the tide had turned, Leonard was once again under its clutches. The 2x champion hasn’t taken the court since March 31, when he was sidelined with a right knee inflammation.

It’s the same knee that underwent surgeries for a torn ACL and meniscus in the past. Given that it is a surgically repaired knee, structurally, it seems to be intact. But for some reason, the inflammation doesn’t seem to fan down. Law Murray of The Athletic gives us the latest update on The Klaw‘s status for the Dallas game.

“I’m not expecting him to play game 1 anymore,” he said as he joined the JRSportBrief Show for the Clippers – Mavs preview. “I think he’ll be ready game 2. Or he’ll push really hard for game 2,” Murray further added, probably to give a glimmer of hope.

The Clippers President of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank said yesterday to ESPN’s Youngmisuk that Kawhi has yet to go through contact. He also added that the medical team and Leonard himself were trying their best to reduce the inflammation. But Frank admitted that it was “unpredictable” at best.

Frank and the team have been keeping the NBA world posted on Leonard’s recovery with enough information. But the one thing he was certain about was that the 6x All-Star would only suit up if he was healthy enough to do so. The likelihood of anything less than that happening is very low.

Kawhi Leonard’s playoff stats

The Dallas Mavericks are no doubt looking to make a deep playoff run this season. The last Luka Doncic and Co. did so was in 2022, but Steph Curry and the Warriors taught them a thing or two about surviving in the postseason. As they get ready for the Clippers battle, LA’s chances of holding their ground against Luka “Magic” and Kyrie Irving “Wizardry” are shaky without their best two-way player.

Doncic obviously doesn’t have the playoff experience that Kawhi Leonard boasts. But he has already made a name for himself in the playoffs with his dominant scoring. Leonard, for his part, has appeared in the playoffs 10 times. In the 137 postseason games, Leonard has averaged 21.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc.

The 3x All-NBA First Teamer also has an 87-50 playoff record. The man might not be a scoring machine like Luka, but he is nonetheless lethal. Considering how LA is 30-44 in the playoffs without Kawhi Leonard, their chances against Luka and Kyrie this time around are questionable. Sure, they do have the Big 4 for situations like these, but there is a reason Kawhi is the Clippers superstar, playoffs or not.