Kawhi Leonard

He was in his second season in the NBA, and it was his first game back in the lineup after missing about a month with quadriceps tendinitis. Before his return, ...

This isn't the playoffs, but with Leonard out of the starting lineup for the Clippers' season opener against the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/), Curry has some competition for the title of Greatest Fake Sixth Man Ever. [cautious approach](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kawhi-leonard-fully-cleared-for-training-camp-clippers-will-be-very-cautious-lawrence-frank-says/) to Leonard's return from a torn ACL. [Kawhi Leonard](/nba/players/1715792/kawhi-leonard/) came off the bench, he was 21 years old. Load management is nothing new for Leonard, and if he's going to be on a strict minutes limit, this move makes it simpler for the coaching staff to manage the rotation and make sure he's available at the end of games. He even started most of his games as a rookie. Before his return, he spent some time rehabbing with the [San Antonio Spurs](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/SA/san-antonio-spurs/)' G League affiliate, then called the Austin Toros.

Here is the latest on Kawhi Leonard's status for the Clippers' matchup with the Lakers.

Oct. 7 p.m. - Time: 10 p.m. For a limited time only, Sling subscribers can watch every NBA League Pass game for free! For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $46/month. Stream Sling Orange for $35/month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. Viewers can also stream the game on Watch TNT or Sling TV. Lakers will air on TNT. Leonard is entering his fourth season with the Clippers. Lakers, clearing the way for his return. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. There was some hope that he would play during the 2021-22 season, but he ended up missing all 82 games.

The LA Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard for one of their next two games against the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.

Not only is Phoenix the superior opponent, but that game is the home opener, which is something the Clippers likely want Kawhi to be a part of. The most likely outcome for Leonard on this upcoming back-to-back would be resting against the Kings and playing against the Suns. Saturday's game will be in Sacramento, while Sunday will be the home opener.

Leonard went for 14 points and seven rebounds, while Wall had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Still, he simply has to make some shots, and a night like this will only add to the criticism he's faced during his time in L.A. Davis was limited to 76 games in his first two seasons with the Lakers and missed time in the preseason, so this was not what anyone wanted to see in the first week. He was 0 of 11 from the field overall and 0 of 6 from 3-point land. Those measures worked as he later returned to the game and was able to play the rest of the way. The numbers are one thing, but the more encouraging sign for Wall and the Clippers is that he looked a lot like his old self in terms of burst and athleticism. Early in the third quarter, Anthony Davis rotated over in help defense and bit on a pump fake by Kawhi Leonard. [NBA](/nba/) basketball game since tearing his ACL on June 6, 2021, and had not come off the bench in an NBA game since Nov. This summer he finally got his wish to leave Houston and wasted little time signing with the Clippers. In all, Leonard played 21 minutes and finished with 14 points and seven rebounds on 6 of 12 from the field. [Paul George](/nba/players/1755181/paul-george/) had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and [Ivica Zubac](/nba/players/2245326/ivica-zubac/) put up a big double-double of his own with 14 points and 17 boards. Meanwhile, [Kawhi Leonard](/nba/players/1715792/kawhi-leonard/) made his return from a torn ACL with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench and [John Wall](/nba/players/1755192/john-wall/) added 15 points in his Clippers debut. He ended both of those droughts on Thursday night, as he suited up for the Clippers' season opener but came off the bench in order to ease his way back into action.

Leonard hadn't played since suffering a knee injury in the Clippers' run to the Western Conference semifinals in 2021 and in his first game back, the 31-year- ...

Everybody's just trying to be great in their minutes and I think thats going to help us moving forward." "I thought he looked good," Clippers head coach Ty Lue said postgame. Outside of Leonard's return, the Clippers also got to see John Wall in the lineup for the first time as he made his regular-season debut.

Kawhi Leonard had 14 points and seven rebounds in his first game in 16 months, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened a season of sky-high expectations with a ...

Ham said he and the Lakers “would in no way, shape or form put a player in harm's way." 2013, when he came off the bench for the Spurs in New York. Leonard suggested the idea of coming off the bench until he feels fully up to speed. Be confident in your shot, and they're going to fall.” “My goal was to try to be great in my minutes,” Leonard said. The two-time NBA Finals MVP decided to ease back in a temporary reserve role after missing all of last season while recovering from surgery.

Kawhi Leonard is finally healthy enough to suit up for the Clippers, but he wasn't on the court for Thursday's opening tip against the Lakers.

— 52 57 60 9 74 72 64 Games started Games It's going to be a process. And I just thought whatever is best for him, whatever makes him feel better.

LOS ANGELES — It almost felt like a pump fake, believing Kawhi Leonard would actually make a scheduled appearance in a real NBA game after missing an entire ...

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