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Clippers Make Encouraging Injury Announcement Before Game 3

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 9:11 PM ET

In three of the past four postseasons, the Clippers have found themselves ousted thanks in large part to an injury suffered by star forward Kawhi Leonard, whose inability to stay healthy has been the hallmark of his time in L.A.

Leonard was KO'd in first-round series each of the past two years, He played just two of the team's six playoff games last season, and two of five games in 2023. In 2022, Leonard missed the entire season and the Clippers missed the playoffs. In 2021, the Clippers reached the West finals, but that was with Leonard injured in the first round.

Health will almost certainly determine how lengthy a run in this year's postseason the Clippers can have, with Leonard being the focus.

Leonard's history of knee troubles has caused him to most be a part-time player this year, as he was limited to 37 games. The Clippers were 26-11 when he played, and 24-19 when he did not. His 39 points were critical in tying the Clippers up with the Nuggets in their postseason series.

Teammate James Harden called out how hard Leonard works to be able to play.

“Every. Single. Day. Like, it’s the preparation,” Harden said late Monday, via the LA Times. “It’s the treatment. It’s the strengthening of his body. It’s the correctives. And then it’s like going on court and putting it all together and it’s consistent. Every. Single. Day…

“Luck hasn’t been on his side or whatever the case you might call it. But he loves to hoop. And as you see, when he’s on the court, he’s a killer. Kawhi is just special.”

And, for the Clippers, it is knock on wood time. Not only is Leonard still healthy heading into Game 3 of the first-round series vs. the Nuggets, but the entire team is healthy.

The LA Clippers have no injuries to report.

Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Co. are all expected to be available for Game 3 vs. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets tomorrow.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 23, 2025

The Clippers' official injury report came out at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and the Clippers were completely healthy. The teams will play on Thursday at the Intuit Dome, at 10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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