Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who made his season debut on January 4 after spending most of the first half working his way back from an offseason knee procedure, has yet to play more than 21 minutes in any of his first three outings this season.
As Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints writes, head coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers haven’t confirmed exactly what Leonard’s minutes restriction is or when it might be lifted. But the two-time Finals MVP isn’t in any rush to get out from under that restriction, telling reporters on Monday night that he doesn’t want to risk a setback by rushing the process.
“No, I’m taking my time,” Leonard said when asked if he’s anxious to play more. “I’ve done that in the past and it led to me on the bench, I’m good where I’m at.”
The Clippers and Leonard have said they’re treating this stretch of games as if it’s the preseason for the star forward, Azarly notes. That means that in addition to being on a strict minutes limit, Leonard isn’t playing at all in clutch time. He has yet to log a single minute in the fourth quarter of any of his first three games back.
The six-time All-Star also hasn’t looked like his usual self, averaging just 8.7 points per game on 32.3% shooting so far.
“He’s looked better in practice than (in the game),” Lue said, per Azarly. “I think in the game, he’s just trying to feel his way through I think when you come from off such a long layoff. I’ve been a product of that, having surgery, coming off a long layoff, you just want to make sure you can play and that you’re comfortable, that you don’t feel it. I think that’s what he’s been doing the last couple games. He’s got to just get to a point where he trusts it, where he can go all out without having to think about it, and it’s going to take a little time.”
The Clippers’ priority is making sure Leonard is available in April. As Azarly points out, the 33-year-old hasn’t been healthy at the end of any of the past four seasons, so he and the club are willing to take things as slowly as they need to in order to maximize the chances that he’s good to go for the postseason.
Led by James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac, L.A. has performed well without Leonard so far this season. Entering Tuesday’s games, the team is the No. 6 seed in the West with a 21-17 record.
“They’ve been playing well all season,” Leonard said. “Hopefully we can get some win under our belts and move up in the standings, secure a playoff spot. That’s what we’re working for.”
Leonard will be available on Wednesday vs. Brooklyn for the first game of a back-to-back set, tweets Law Murray of The Athletic.
