The word is out. Coach Steve Kerr reacts to the Kawhi Leonard injury update. Hours before the exciting contest between the Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers, a report stated that Leonard might miss the game with a groin injury. In response to that, Dubs coach Kerr sympathized with the Clippers’ team and was also reminded of the Warriors’ history with the injuries.
95.7 The Game took to their X handle and dropped Kerr’s statement. The Dubs coach said, “I hate when guys sit out, especially stars. We’ve lost so many games the last couple years when star players sit out. There’s just a natural let down…I’m dead serious. It’s the worst feeling in the NBA.”
"I hate when guys sit out, especially stars. We've lost so many games the last couple years when star players sit out. There's just a natural let down…I'm dead serious. It's the worst feeling in the NBA."
Steve Kerr after @WillardAndDibs told him Kawhi Leonard is OUT tomorrow. https://t.co/OJYXvL7k92
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 14, 2024
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In a way, the Clippers’ latest injury update could be positive news for the Warriors. After a struggling hot and cold season, the Dubs managed to find a five-game winning streak and returned to the top-10 seed after nearly a month. So, facing a shorthanded Clippers will help the Dubs to extend their streak.
Moreover, Steve Kerr also has returned to the Warriors mix after missing out on the last game. It will help him to fit in easily. He missed the Utah Jazz game to attend the funeral of assistant coach Dejan Milojević at Serbia. Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson took over the job and helped the team take a blow-out to win. It also reminded the fans of the vintage Splash Brothers as Klay led the offense with 26 points and 6 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Clippers had everything sorted for the season. They started off the season with a slump and reached to the top eventually with their Big 4. Kawhi Leonard‘s injury might be a less-serious one, but given his injury record, the Clippers need to keep an eye on the star.
Read More – Steve Kerr Breathes a Sigh of Relief Alongside Andrew Wiggins After Dodging Trade Deadline Scare
Speaking of the injury woes, let’s take a look at the injury blows that troubled the Warriors.
Warriors injury blows in Kerr-Curry era
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One of the biggest of them of all is the 2019 Kevin Durant injury. During the 2018-19 season, the Warriors were chasing their three-part. Unfortunately, KD suffered a right calf strain and missed almost the entirety of the playoff. Even then, the Dubs managed to reach the Finals. Ironically, it was against the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors.
The Dubs stood no chance against the Raptors without Durant. Eventually, he returned to the game 5 of the Finals, only to further aggravate his injury, and rupturing his Achilles tendon. Similarly, in the next game, Klay Thompson suffered an anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, missed the entire 2019-20 season. The Dubs recorded their worst season in the Kerr-Curry at the bottom of the West.
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What do you make of Kerr’s statement about Leonard’s injury? Let us know in the comments below.