Apr 17, 2024, 6:26 p.m. ET
Kawhi Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
LOS ANGELES — The coach of the LA Clippers, Tyronn Luesaid Wednesday that he is preparing for the Dallas Mavericks as if I had the star Kawhi Leonard to start the series first round of the playoffs.
Lue said that Kawhi Leonard he did not participate in any 5-on-5 during Tuesday’s practice. But when asked if there is any part of his game plan preparation that he doesn’t have to Kawhi Leonard on the court to begin the postseason, Lue gave the most positive sign of the forward’s status so far.
“I’m preparing for him, to have him on the court,” Lue said.
Lue, however, remained noncommittal when asked if Kawhi Leonard will play Sunday in Game 1.
“We don’t know yet,” Lue said.
Kawhi Leonard could return to the court for the Clippers for the first round of the playoffs against the Mavericks. Photo: Getty
Kawhi Leonard He missed the final eight games of the regular season due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Lue said before Wednesday’s practice that the team and his medical staff would determine how much he could do. Kawhi Leonard in the session. Lue said the medical staff had to see how Kawhi Leonard was feeling after a quarter of practice Tuesday.
“We just take it day by day,” Lue said. “He’s making progress. He’s getting better. We don’t have a timetable.”
Lue confirmed on Tuesday that Kawhi Leonard was being prepared for playoffs after not having played since March 31 in Charlotte. When asked if there is any concern that Leonard may not be ready for the Game 1 If his advancement goes as planned, Lue said he’s still unsure about his player’s workload.
“I let the doctors take charge and whatever is best for Kawhi Leonard, make sure we protect him first,” Lue said. “But whatever’s best for him is what we’re going to do. We are still not sure of the minutes or how long he will be able to play. “So we’ll just wait and take it day by day.”
When it comes to James Hardenthe base of the Clippers is ready to go to the postseason. Despite missing three of the last four games due to inflammation in his right foot, James Harden has been practicing and said he has something to prove in the playoffs.
James Harden scored 42 or more points in two games during the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference against the Boston Celtics last season. But in the last two losses to Boston, he was just 7 of 27 and scored a total of 22 points and 16 assists. He had 9 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds while going 3 for 11 in Philadelphia’s 112-88 loss in Game 7 in Boston.
“I mean, I always want to play well in the playoffs“, said James Harden. “I’ve had some not-so-good games, but I’ve had some really good ones. So, for me, I think the goal is to win, and that’s the only thing I’m missing at the highest level as far as my NBA career goes. .
“Of course, I want to play well individually and then I want our team to play well. So I think my job as one of the leaders on this team is to make sure our guys are reaching their potential and maximizing what they bring to the table.”
2024-04-17 22:26:00
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