The LA Clippers embarked on a quick, two-game road trip that will take them East where they’ll face the Chicago Bulls on the first night of a back-to-back set. Some of the biggest question marks surrounding the Clippers right now are the injury statuses of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
The team has put out their injury report for Thursday night’s game, officially listing Kawhi Leonard and James Harden as as questionable to play against Chicago. Leonard is dealing with thoracic spasms and Harden with a left shoulder strain.
Kawhi Leonard played the entire first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. During the end-of-quarter timeout, he appeared to be stretching his back in discomfort. He spoke with head coach Tyronn Lue and attempted to stretch his back out again before departing for the Clippers locker room.
While the team didn’t officially announce it until after halftime, the NBA broadcast captured Kawhi Leonard, who had since changed into street clothes, leaving the arena midway through the second quarter. At the start of the third quarter, the Clippers announced that Leonard would miss the remainder of Tuesday’s game with thoracic spasms — better known as back spasms.
He would not return as the Clippers proceeded to be blown out by the Timberwolves at home in embarrassing fashion, blowing a 22-point lead and losing 118-100
After the game, head coach Tyronn Lue said the thoracic spasms were something that Leonard had been dealing with coming into the game.
“Yeah, he’s been dealing with it for a couple of days,” Lue admitted. “Back spasms and we weren’t sure if he was going to go this morning. But he came to shoot-around, got some treatment, did what he had to do and tried to get on the court and play today and it just didn’t loosen up for him.”
A photo posted to the team’s social media account on Wednesday showed Leonard among the traveling party for this two-game trip starting against the Bulls. Given that the Clippers are on the first half of a back-to-back set, it would be surprising to see Leonard suit up for both games.
Be the first to comment