Kawhi Leonard is again on the courtroom, and his presence instantly vaults the Los Angeles Clippers to contenders in a loaded Western Convention.
Leonard returned to the courtroom Monday evening, taking part in 16 minutes in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers, scoring 11 factors and including 4 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Anfernee Simons (1) of the Portland Path Blazers defends Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers throughout a preseason recreation Oct. 3, 2022, on the Local weather Pledge Area in Seattle.
(Michael Gonzales/NBAE by way of Getty Photos)
“It was nice,” Leonard mentioned of taking part in once more, in accordance with ESPN. “Simply having the ability to put all that arduous work that I did all through the 14, 16 months, simply in a position to put it to check and taking part in in opposition to NBA expertise, it was good.
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“Simply being on the market with the blokes and speaking, I missed it. It was an awesome expertise for me.”
Leonard sat out your complete 2021-2022 NBA season after tearing his ACL within the 2021 NBA Playoffs in opposition to the Utah Jazz.
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His absence led to the Clippers having an up-and-down season, going 42-40 within the common season and shedding each video games within the NBA’s play-in event.
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers appears on through the first half of a preseason recreation in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers at Local weather Pledge Area Oct. 3, 2022 in Seattle. The Clippers gained 102-97.
(Alika Jenner/Getty Photos)
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“The physique feels good,” Leonard mentioned. “Clearly, I’m not going to be taking part in 35 minutes, 38 minutes to begin, so it’ll be a little bit shaky early, most likely. However, like I mentioned, it’s a journey, it is a course of, and that’s what I’m about.”
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The Clippers additionally needed to endure an damage to Paul George final season, who suffered a torn UCL and performed in simply 31 video games.
With each George and Leonard wholesome, the Clippers enter the season as one of many favorites to win the NBA championship, which might be the franchise’s first.
Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers appears on through the first half of a preseason recreation in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers at Local weather Pledge Area Oct. 3, 2022 in Seattle. The Clippers gained 102-97.
(Alika Jenner/Getty Photos)
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“I’m actual excited,” George mentioned, in accordance with Clutch Factors. “I’m extra excited, clearly, with him being wholesome. That’s before everything. I seen his entire work all through the entire [recovery] — the second he received injured to the work he put on this low season, going into this season.
“Actually excited for him to get an opportunity to do what he likes to do and get again on the courtroom. Clearly, after that, it’s the thrill of attending to play with the very best two-way participant within the recreation.”
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