PHOENIX — LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Sunday’s Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns because of a sprained right knee, and his status for the remainder of the Western Conference finals remains uncertain.
Leonard did not travel with the team to Phoenix on Saturday. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said he is not sure yet of Leonard’s status for Game 2, and that he has to prepare as if Leonard isn’t available game to game until the star returns.
“I’m not sure,” Lue said when asked if Leonard could join the team at some point on this trip. “I know [he is out for] Game 1 for sure. Right now he’s back home getting treatment. We’re not sure about Game 2 yet.”
Leonard has missed the past two games since injuring his knee in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Utah Jazz. Leonard was unable to finish the final four-plus minutes of that game.
Terance Mann started in place of Leonard and scored 39 points in Game 6 to close Utah out.
“Until he gets back, we can’t, you know, do hypotheticals if he’s coming back, what game,” Lue said. “We have to prepare like he’s not playing. You know, just kind of go from there.”