Kawhi Leonard, the star forward of the Los Angeles Clippers, expressed that he’s feeling good after his first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. In this matchup on Saturday, Leonard played the first half despite the Clippers narrowly losing 91-90.
During halftime, Leonard took a moment to talk with the media, sharing that he felt great after making his return to the court since late April. “I feel good,” he stated. “I’ve just been taking my time, getting stronger, and preparing for the season.”
He added, “… We’re taking it slow, day by day, focusing on getting me back on the floor. Once those talks happen about back-to-back games, we’ll see what the best approach is.”
This offseason has been quite eventful for the six-time All-Star, who faced knee inflammation that prevented him from participating in the Paris Olympics. As a result, he missed a significant portion of training camp to focus on strengthening his knee.
While Leonard has had a tumultuous injury history, he had a promising season last year, playing in 68 games—the most since the 2016-17 season—and averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, along with shooting 52.5% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc.
However, he faced setbacks during the playoffs, missing most of the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, leading to the Clippers’ exit in six games, with Leonard sidelined for four of those.
Injuries have hindered Leonard’s career, preventing him from showcasing his full potential on the court. Despite the setbacks, last season was pivotal for both him and the Clippers, as he signed a three-year, $153 million extension that runs through the 2026-27 season—a move that carried some risk given his health issues.
When healthy, Leonard’s influence on the Clippers and the game itself is undeniable. He boasts impressive accolades, including two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, six All-NBA selections, and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary team.
As he heads into his 14th season, Leonard is primarily focused on maintaining his health for a complete postseason run for the first time since 2020, and so far, things are looking positive for him.
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