With Leonard questionable with knee inflammation, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is preparing for Sunday’s Game 1 knowing they must contain the Mavericks superstar
The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, seen with the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic during a game Nov. 10, 2023, in Dallas, is listed as questionable for Game 1 of the teams’ first-round playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2024. PLAYA VISTA — Beating the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs is simple: Contain Luka Doncic. How to do it is a bit more complicated for the fourth-seeded Clippers.
Doncic isn’t the Clippers’ only concern. There’s also future Hall of Fame guard Kyrie Irving, plus the recent additions of center Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, who both have moved into the starting lineup. The task of beating the Mavs again will be more challenging without Kawhi Leonard, the cornerstone of the Clippers’ defense who has been dealing with inflammation in his right knee. Leonard officially is considered questionable for Game 1, but the All-Defensive wing player hasn’t participated in full contract drills.
The Clippers went 4-4 without Leonard in the final eight regular-season games. Two of the victories came against the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers, games that give Lue confidence heading into the first-round series. Paul George, who will be playing in his first playoff series in two years, said he expects Leonard to be back on the court during the postseason.
“Injuries happen. That’s part of the game no way of really avoiding it,” George said. “So, as much as chemistry and being on the floor together and playing the best basketball you could possibly play at this point of the season, a lot of it has to do with luck, too.”
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