Oct 15,V7N- Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will miss the entire preseason due to a right knee injury, raising concerns about his availability for the start of the regular season. The Clippers are set to open the season on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns, but coach Tyronn Lue stated on Monday that Leonard will continue his rehabilitation and aim to "keep getting better."

Leonard's knee issues have been a recurring problem throughout his career. In the 2023 playoffs, he played in only Games 2 and 3 of the Clippers' first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee issues. In the previous year's playoffs, Leonard sat out the final three games of the Clippers' first-round loss to the Suns. His knee also caused him to miss Los Angeles' last eight postseason games in 2021, and he sat out the entire 2021-22 season following surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament.

At 33, Leonard had a solid 2022-23 season, playing 52 regular-season games and earning his sixth All-Star selection, with averages of 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals. For his career, Leonard averages 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He began his career with the San Antonio Spurs (2011-2018), spent one season with the Toronto Raptors (2018-2019), and has been with the Clippers since 2019.

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