It’s the same old song when it comes to Kawhi Leonard and its availability for the Clippers when they meet Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
It remains uncertain – even a mystery – whether Leonard will play in the first game of the best-of-seven series.
He missed the final eight games of the regular season because of right knee inflammation.
The Clippers had their first practice on Tuesday in Preparing for the Mavericksleaving the media to ask coach Tyronn Lue if Leonard would fully coach.
“No, not entirely,” Lue said. “But he will be part of the practice.”
Lue was asked how much Leonard can participate in practice.
“Um, he’s going to do a quarter of practice,” Lue said.
How to run, Lue was asked.
“Just a quarter of the practice, yes,” Lue replied.
See more information: Clippers prepare for playoffs by resting starters in loss to Rockets
Is it because Leonard hasn’t played an NBA game since March 31?
“Yes, just bring it in slowly,” said Lue.
By the time Sunday arrives, Leonard will have missed three weeks of NBA games.
So, Lue was asked, is this to speed things up for Leonard?
“Yes,” Lue said.
Then came the big question: Will this acceleration result in Leonard playing on Sunday against the Mavericks and their sensational backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
“We’ll see,” Lue said.
Leonard is the Clippers’ best player and has won two NBA championships – one with San Antonio (2014) and another with Toronto (2019) – and his presence will be necessary if Los Angeles is to overcome the improved Mavericks.
Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 games this season. He shot 52.5% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.
He was at his best in the playoffs with Toronto, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while earning Finals Most Valuable Player honors in 2019.
He was great for the Clippers last season in the playoffs, averaging 34.5 points. But Leonard played in just two games, unable to finish the series against the Phoenix Suns because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.
The Clippers will need a healthy Leonard after two of his teammates, Paul George and James Harden, recently questioned the team’s identity in less than a week.
When George and Harden did so, Lue was unhappy with their comments.
“Yes, we found it,” Lue said of an identity.
And what is this?
“Win,” Lue replied.
How will you win?
“Play hard,” Lue said. “Play hard in every position. Physicality defensively. Offensively, space and playing with pace, we got into our sets quicker and in the last seven of eight games we showed what we can do.”
Lue was asked if he conveyed that to his players after telling the media that their identity at the time was, “We’re soft.”
“What do you think?” Lue replied.
Considering the Clippers won seven of eight games after those comments — the Clippers lost the last three games but rested players — the answer was yes.
“Thank you,” said Lue, smiling.
This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.
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