Kawhi Leonard stated there’s “nothing vital” together with his foot harm and that he has been taking part in with it for a while.
In his first sport again after lacking the earlier 5 video games as a result of proper foot soreness, Leonard had 16 factors, six assists and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes within the LA Clippers‘ 110-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Staples Middle.
“I am feeling good,” Leonard stated in his first feedback since April 9. “We took the right steps to get me proper, to ensure nothing vital is flawed with me … so hopefully we will simply preserve transferring up from right here.”
When requested if he should play by way of this foot harm for the rest of the season, Leonard stated the problem just isn’t one thing that simply developed after the final time he performed in opposition to Minnesota on April 18.
“Yeah, I imply, I have been doing it,” Leonard stated. “It isn’t one thing that simply occurred after the final sport. However I will be all proper. I have been by way of conditions like this earlier than.”
The Denver Nuggets spoiled the All-Star’s return by overtaking the Clippers for third within the Western Convention. The Nuggets beat the Clippers for a second time this season and took the season sequence and tiebreaker between the 2 groups.
For the Clippers, although, Leonard’s return was extra necessary. Leonard had missed 9 of the Clippers’ earlier 10 video games.
“It was nice to share the ground once more with him,” Clippers All-Star guard Paul George stated. “He is gonna discover his rhythm. You realize, I assumed he regarded good tonight.”
George added: “Hopefully we will proceed to maintain him wholesome. However he will be higher and higher. That is simply who Kawhi is.”
With seven video games remaining within the season, the Clippers need to develop as a lot chemistry as they’ll with their starters on the ground collectively. Serge Ibaka, who was the beginning middle when wholesome, missed his 25th consecutive sport due to a again harm.
Place to begin guard Patrick Beverley missed his 12th straight sport Saturday due to a fractured hand. Beverley has performed in solely two of the previous 26 video games as a result of accidents, however Clippers coach Ty Lue stated Beverly might return within the subsequent few video games if he continues to progress.
Leonard stated he traveled with the staff on its latest highway journey to assist develop chemistry, one thing LA was lacking when it blew a Three-1 sequence lead and misplaced within the second spherical to Denver final postseason.
“Simply ensuring the staff sees my face,” Leonard stated of staying with the staff on the highway whereas he was out. “Simply wished to nonetheless be in that movement, be in that rhythm and most significantly letting guys know I am right here and, you recognize, simply allow them to hear my voice and see my face.”
Requested if the staff has sufficient time to gel earlier than the postseason, Leonard stated, “You realize, I am again, [we’re] simply going to need to do it with what we’ve got. We gained video games earlier than, so we simply acquired to maintain this rolling and see the changes and the gamers [who] are going to play in sure conditions to assist us win video games.”