Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard still out, not playing G4 vs Suns
Kawhi Leonard (knee) is set to miss his second-straight game, not playing in Game 4 of their first-round matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
Leonard sat down in the Clippers’ 124-104 Game 3 loss against the Suns on Thursday because of a right knee sprain which he aggravated at the start of the series. The superstar willed his way to suit up in Game 2, but his condition didn’t show any such progress.
On the team’s Friday availability, head coach Ty Lue didn’t provide any significant update about Leonard’s status, but he admitted that they are bracing for the possibility that he won’t be active again heading to Game 4.
Leonard has been tearing it up for the first two games of the series, averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 boards, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals while shooting over 54 percent from the field. He carried Los Angeles towards stealing a game on the home court advantage of Phoenix at the beginning of the first-round matchup.
The decision to maintain the shelving of Leonard could be motivated by precautionary reasons. As such, even without him and Paul George, the Clippers’ managed to put up a fight in Game 3, with Norman Powell exploding for 42 markers in a losing effort.
Regardless of Leonard’s unavailability, the Clippers are approaching the upcoming Game 4 as pivotal with the Suns leading them 2-1 on the best-of-seven duel.
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