The buzz around the Clippers’ camp is electric as Kawhi Leonard inches closer to making his long-awaited return to the NBA courts. After being sidelined since last season’s playoffs, fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to see the superstar back in action.
Kawhi’s Comeback Trail
So here’s the scoop: Kawhi’s been spotted back at practice this week, and while that’s music to any Clippers fan’s ears, Coach Tyronn Lue is keeping things cautious. No need to rush the man back before he’s ready, right? Lue’s optimistic that, unless something goes sideways, Kawhi could be suiting up in about two weeks. But hey, patience is key when you’re dealing with a knee injury that’s kept him off the court and even out of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Speaking of which, did you see that clip of Kawhi getting some work in? Check it out:
Kawhi Leonard on the court again after practice
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_)
Clippers Holding It Down
Now, you might think the Clippers would be struggling without their All-Star, but nope! They’ve been holding their own with a solid 14-11 start, sitting pretty at sixth in the Western Conference. And get thisโthey’ve got the sixth-best defensive rating in the league, only giving up 108.5 points per 100 possessions. Not too shabby, huh? I think that’s a testament to the depth and resilience of this squad.
Norman Powell, for instance, has been balling out, boosting his scoring average from 13.9 to a whopping 23.6. It’s like he found an extra gear or something. Coach Lue credits the team’s mentality, saying, “Just finding ways to win…trying to find combinations to win.” Sounds like a winning formula to me.
Patience is a Virtue
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Coach Lue emphasized the importance of taking it slow with Kawhi’s return. The medical team is all about making sure he’s 100% before he hits the hardwood again. “Weโre not going to let him skip steps,” Lue said. Makes sense, right? You don’t want to risk another setback by rushing things.
Despite the long layoff, Lue’s impressed with Kawhi’s mental toughness. This isn’t his first rodeo; remember, he missed the entire 2021-22 season with a torn ACL. Out of 460 possible games since joining the Clippers, Kawhi’s missed 204. But hey, who’s counting? The important thing is he’s in a good headspace and getting closer to returning.
So, what do you think? Will Kawhi’s return catapult the Clippers into serious title contention? Or will they keep riding the wave they’ve been on without him? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sureโit’s gonna be a wild ride!
