Kawhi Leonard’s road to recovery is still ongoing, leaving Los Angeles Clippers fans eager for updates on his return. The star forward hasn’t suited up for any of the team’s first 27 games this season. However, head coach Tyronn Lue recently shared some comments hinting that The Klaw might be back on the court soon. Last season, Leonard showed flashes of his old self, playing 68 games—the most he’s managed since his 2016-17 run with the Spurs.

Kawhi’s long-awaited progress hit a milestone on Wednesday as he fully joined the Clippers’ practice in a contact-heavy session. While his return to practice is promising, the LA side is staying cautious to ensure Leonard’s health isn’t compromised in the long run.

When asked about the hoopster’s current health, Tyronn Lue didn’t hold back, offering insight into the team’s cautious approach. Speaking to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Lue explained, “Yeah, he feels good. So we just gotta make sure that he continues to feel good. We don’t want a thing where it’s one or two days and then he’s back to where he was at, so that’s why we’re taking the process slow, that’s why we’re doing it the right way. And he does feel good, so just gotta make sure he can do it for long enough to check all these boxes, make sure the process is right before we just throw him out there on the floor.”

Basically, Lue made it clear they’re NOT rushing anything. And honestly, it’s hard not to respect that level of patience. Imagine the frustration of rushing back only to risk another setback. But he is part of the team’s road trip!

Kawhi Leonard is still part of the Clippers roster

The Klaw won’t hit the court during the Clippers’ upcoming three-game road trip, which includes back-to-back matchups with the Mavericks and a stop in Memphis. However, here’s the twist—he’s still traveling with the team.

“He’s going to travel, yes,” head coach Lue shared. “He will not play on this trip.” So, while he won’t be suiting up, Leonard will be right there on the sidelines. It’s not the return fans were hoping for, but at least it’s a step closer.

But then why is he going on the trip? The 47-year-old coach has everything planned out, and revealed, “He can get a lot of rehab and stuff done on the road with our team. That’s why he’s making the trip.”. 

For anyone itching to see him back in action, the wait isn’t over yet. Leonard, who’s been sidelined through 27 games while rehabbing his right knee, won’t be making his season debut until after Christmas. The soonest we might see him on the floor is December 27, when the Clippers host the Warriors.

The Clippers are navigating this season without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer. So far, the team has managed a 15-12 record, leaning heavily on their defense, which ranks an impressive fifth in the league.Offensively, though, it’s been a different story—they’re sitting at 20th… Despite the challenges, their plus-2.4 net rating shows they’re still competitive on the hardwood. Honestly, it’s wild to think how much stronger they could be with Kawhi Leonard back in the mix.