(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns are now tied at 1-1, with the series shifting to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
However, things have taken a turn for the worst for the Clippers, with the team now having to lean on newcomer Russell Westbrook following the news of superstar forward Kawhi Leonard being ruled out of Game 3 on Thursday night.
According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Clippers have ruled out Leonard for tonight’s game due to a right knee sprain.
Los Angeles Clippers have ruled Kawhi Leonard out of tonight’s Game 3 matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to a right knee sprain.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 20, 2023
The Clippers are no strangers to Leonard sitting out with an injury, especially when it comes to a knee ailment, but missing time in the playoffs in a series where he’s desperately needed is costly.
Leonard’s injuries and the load management the team has used with him over the last couple of seasons have made headlines frequently in Los Angeles.
One of the biggest criticisms of Leonard is his inability to be available consistently, and even though he’s played well while seemingly healthy in this series against the Suns, it has become more of the same from Leonard.
As if having Paul George on the mend and likely missing this entire first-round series wasn’t bad enough, losing Leonard for this game and potentially more will almost certainly end the season for the Clippers.
Los Angeles has played better in this series than expected, as they’ve given Kevin Durant and company all they can handle but without a healthy Leonard, it’s a longshot at best that this team can continue to compete moving forward.
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