Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue says six-time All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard’s body is in “great shape” and he feels “really good” as the team readies for the 2025-26 season.
Leonard missed the first 34 games of last season due to inflammation in his right knee, which he dealt with at the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Thankfully, Leonard was able to play 37 of his team’s remaining 48 regular-season games as well as all seven of L.A.’s first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. He finished the season averaging 21.5 points on 49.8 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Leonard has dealt with numerous right knee issues over the past five years. He notably suffered a partial tear of his right ACL during the 2021 playoffs and missed the 2021-22 season. He also suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the 2023 playoffs.
The second half of last season is certainly encouraging moving forward, as is Lue’s latest report on how Leonard is doing in training camp.
Leonard is one of the game’s best two-way players, and the Clippers certainly need him to take a step forward. L.A. fell to Denver in a hard-fought first-round series that went the limit, but the Clippers have the talent for a deep playoff run if its core stays healthy.
The Clippers begin their regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Utah Jazz.
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