Kawhi Leonard Is Having Knee Surgery, Per NBA Source Updated
Kawhi Leonard’s knee injury may be more severe than the Clippers believed, according to Shams Charania.
After suffering a straight knee injury in the Clippers’ 118-104 Game 4 victory over the Jazz. The Athletic reported that the Clippers feared Leonard might have an ACL injury. The injury would cause him to miss the rest of the series against the Jazz and the whole series against the Phoenix Suns.
Earlier this month, I reported there was a possibility that Kawhi Leonard could miss a year because of his knee injury, according to an NBA Source.
After I reported the news, Bleacher Report’s Farbod Esnaashari tweeted, “There isn’t credibility to this no one knows anything lol.”
However, on Sunday evening, I received a call from an NBA Source, and they shared that Kawhi Leonard needs to have knee surgery.
They did not specify the exact location of what needs surgery, but clearly, the Clippers forward needs something repaired in his right knee.
Kawhi has one year left on his current contract, but word around the league is that Leonard will opt out and sign a new max deal.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, five NBA executives believe Leonard will stay in Los Angeles.
“All five of the NBA executives polled believe Leonard will ultimately remain with the Clippers after his free agency concludes and look to run it back with [Paul] George and compete for another shot at the championship,” Michael Scotto of HoopsHype wrote.
However, One executive thought the Clippers would have to make changes to its roster, “figure [the Clippers] have to make some changes and run it back with those two guys. You’ve got to give it another chance, I think. They just hired Ty Lue for this group. It wasn’t a normal season. You’ve got to give a normal season a chance first, I’d think.”
Depending on what type of knee surgery Leonard has could have a domino effect on his free agency decision this summer. We will have to wait and see what happens. Leonard has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and the Miami Heat.
It turns out that Kawhi Leonard had surgery for a partially torn ACL, according to Shams Charania.
Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT, Leonard, will likely be out for nine months.
“Typically, surgery to repair a partially torn ACL is a full reconstruction, the same surgery as for a complete rupture (grade 3 tear). Looking at around 9 months to get back to the court and even longer to return to pre-injury levels.”
This season for the Clippers, Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 52 games.
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