The Los Angeles Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard for at least two more games as the star forward returns to Los Angeles to address ongoing irritation in his left knee.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Clippers announced that star forward Kawhi Leonard has been sent back to Los Angeles for further treatment on his injured left knee and will not play in the final two games of the team’s current road trip.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is being sent home from the team's road trip for treatment after suffering from left knee irritation, per @ChrisBHaynes.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 18, 2026
He'll be evaluated on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/6fP2YCQMYL
Leonard is set to miss matchups against the Washington Wizards on Monday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday as the organization takes a cautious approach with its franchise cornerstone.
Leonard did not play in Friday’s overtime win over the Toronto Raptors after suffering a right ankle sprain and a contusion on his left knee earlier in the week. While the ankle issue contributed to his absence, team officials have indicated that the primary concern now is irritation in the knee. Leonard is expected to be reevaluated once the Clippers return home on Wednesday.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that the injury is not believed to be serious, offering some reassurance for Clippers fans. The knee contusion dates back to a January 10 win over the Detroit Pistons, and the team appears intent on managing Leonard’s workload to avoid any long-term complications as the season progresses.
At 33 years old, Leonard has already dealt with multiple injury setbacks this season. He missed 10 games in November due to right foot and ankle issues, and his absence has been noticeable in the standings. The Clippers have struggled to find consistency without him, posting a 3–8 record in games Leonard has missed during the 2025–26 campaign.
Despite those challenges, Leonard has been a driving force behind one of the league’s most dramatic midseason turnarounds. After starting the year with a 6–21 record, the Clippers have surged back into contention, going 12–2 over their last 14 games. That stretch has lifted them to an 18–23 overall record and into the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Individually, Leonard has been playing some of the best basketball of his career. Through 30 games, he is averaging a career-high 28.2 points per game to go along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and close to 40 percent from beyond the arc.
With Leonard sidelined, the Clippers are expected to lean more heavily on depth pieces such as two-way players Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller, both of whom have earned increased roles recently. Their contributions could prove vital as Los Angeles looks to stay afloat until Leonard returns.
Category: General Sports
