Clippers owner Steve Ballmer calls midseason return for Kawhi Leonard 'possible'

Kawhi Leonard has been dealing with leg issues for the past several years, and the Clippers have been very cautious with him.

Kawhi Leonard file photo Image credit: Twitter
By Amruth Kalidas | Sep 20, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

When Kawhi Leonard initially got injured in the second round of the 2021 playoffs, the prognosis was relatively positive. The injury was originally considered a knee sprain, and there appeared to be a chance that he could return during the postseason. But things grew increasingly pessimistic as he continued to miss games, and eventually it was revealed that he had suffered a partially torn ACL. Such injuries are significantly more serious. Players frequently miss entire seasons recovering. 

Clippers can’t risk losing Kawhi Leonard again!

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer suggested that Leonard could return this season, but he wouldn’t commit to such a timeline. 

“Nobody knows at this stage,” Ballmer said at the groundbreaking of the team’s new arena Friday. “Nobody knows. It’s possible. For sure, it’s possible. But it will depend on what the doctors say and what Kawhi says.”

Some players with only partially torn ACLs have recovered much faster than the typical year-long process for full tears. Spencer Dinwiddie, for instance, suffered a partially torn ACL in December, but reports indicated that he might have been ready to play in the NBA Finals had the Brooklyn Nets made it there. Each player recovers differently based on the severity of the tear, the success of the surgery and a number of other individual factors. 

Leonard has been dealing with leg issues for the past several years, and the Clippers have been very cautious with him. They likely will be again this season. With Leonard expected to miss significant time, there would be no reason to bring him back if the Clippers are out of the playoff picture by the time he is healthy. Leonard signed a four-year max contract this offseason, so the Clippers need to emphasize his long-term health. 

Clippers start building the new arena

The Los Angeles Clippers broke ground on their future new arena in Inglewood, Calif., while also announcing the naming rights for their future home. Intuit Inc., a global technology platform that produces products such as TurboTax, QuickBooks, Credit Karma and Mint, has announced a 23-year strategic partnership to become the exclusive naming rights partner of the Intuit Dome.

The Intuit Dome is scheduled to open in time for the 2024-25 NBA season, allowing the Clippers to move into their very own arena rather than continue to be tenants of the Lakers at Staples Center.





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