Clippers Face Spurs Without Kawhi Leonard in Playoff Push

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Los Angeles Clippers head into a crucial matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, riding a four-game winning streak and having claimed 14 of their last 17 games. However, they might have to face the Spurs without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who has been listed as questionable due to right knee injury management.

After earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors, Leonard’s potential absence raises concerns for the Clippers as they continue their quest for playoff position. The Clippers, currently in a tightly contested Western Conference, have every game counting towards both playoff and play-in seeding as the regular season winds down.

The Spurs, sitting at 32-46 and officially eliminated from playoff contention, could potentially play spoiler in Los Angeles. Despite this, the Clippers must prioritize Leonard’s health over an easier win against a struggling Spurs team. Leonard has already missed 44 games this season, and with a vital Wednesday matchup against the Houston Rockets looming, resting him may be a prudent decision.

Leonard’s scoring average against the Spurs is impressive, standing at 25.0 points per game over his career. However, set against the backdrop of his injuries this season, the Clippers’ coaching staff may opt to keep him sidelined on Tuesday.

Fans have shared their opinions on social media, largely supportive of the decision to rest the star player. One fan noted, “Absolutely no reason to play him; we should be able to win easily – save him for Houston.” Another commented, “He deserves the rest for sure,” while a few suggested allowing Leonard to play limited minutes to maintain his rhythm.

The game is set to tip off at the Intuit Dome at 10:30 p.m. EST. The Clippers will look for contributions from other key players including James Harden, who has been pivotal in the team’s recent success. Harden has been vocal about his on-court relationship with Leonard, emphasizing strong communication and professionalism between the two superstars.

“It’s real. We don’t sugarcoat anything,” Harden stated after a recent game. “If he sees something, he’ll tell me. If I see something, I’ll tell him. And we move on.” The chemistry between the players will be essential as they prepare for the upcoming playoffs.

Regardless of Leonard’s status, the Clippers need to secure every win moving forward, especially with tough opponents coming up, including playoff contenders like the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.