Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed eight consecutive games at the end of the regular season and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to play in the first-round playoff series opener on Sunday. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
It’s the same old song when it comes to Kawhi Leonard and his availability for the Clippers when they meet the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
It remains uncertain — a mystery even — if Leonard will play in the first game of the best-of-seven series.
He missed the last eight games of the regular season because of right knee inflammation.
The Clippers had their first practice Tuesday in preparation for the Mavericks, leaving the media to ask coach Tyronn Lue if Leonard would fully practice.
“No, not fully,” Lue said. “But he’s going to be a part of practice.”
Lue was asked how much Leonard can participate in practice.
“Um, he’s going to do a quarter of the practice,” Lue said.
LIke running, Lue was asked.
“Just a quarter of the practice, yeah,” Lue responded.
Read more: Clippers prepare for playoffs by resting starters in loss to Rockets
Is it because Leonard hasn’t played in an NBA game since March 31?
“Yeah, just bring him along slowly,” Lue said.
By the time Sunday rolls arrvies, Leonard will have missed three weeks of NBA game action.
So, Lue was asked, is this about ramping things up for Leonard?
“Yes,” Lue said.
Then came the big question: Will that ramp-up result in Leonard playing Sunday against the Mavericks and their sensational backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
“We’ll see,” Lue said.
Leonard is the Clippers best player and has won two NBA championships — one with San Antonio (2014) and the other with Toronto (2019) — and his presence will be needed if Los Angeles is to get by the improved Mavericks.
Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games this season. He shot 52.5% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.
He was at his best in the playoffs with Toronto, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists a game while earning the Finals’ most valuable…
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