Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is set to return to the court on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, head coach Tyronn Lue has confirmed.
Leonard has missed the Clippers’ last nine games, including Game 1 of the series, due to right knee inflammation. His return will mark the first time the two-time Finals MVP will play in front of a full-capacity playoff crowd at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old is in his fifth season with the Clippers. Leonard’s first playoff action with the team was in the 2020 NBA Bubble. He got injured in the 2021 playoffs before full capacity was allowed, and played two road games in the 2023 playoffs before getting injured again. The Clippers missed the playoffs entirely in 2022.
The Clippers managed to win Game 1 without Leonard, but their chances of taking a 2-0 lead over the Mavericks are significantly boosted with Leonard back in the lineup.
