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The Los Angeles Clippers have missed their two star players in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for a majority of the season. However, they’ve somehow managed to stay in the playoff race and been competitive throughout the season.
George has not played since the week of Christmas due to a torn UCL in his right elbow. He initially suffered a sprained elbow on Dec. 6 against Portland and tried to rehab for two weeks. As for Leonard, he has not played a single minute of basketball since tearing his right ACL in the playoffs last summer.
Kawhi Leonard/Paul George injury updates
March 29 update: George will play Tuesday against the Jazz, marking his return to action. The Clippers were initially 1-point underdogs but the game is now a pick ‘em per DraftKings Sportsbook.
March 28 update: George is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game, so there’s a chance he makes his return to the court against the Jazz on TNT.
March 28 update: George is targeting a return this week, according to SI’s Farbod Esnaashari. The star small forward’s presence would be a great boost for the Clippers, who have admirably held onto a play-in tournament spot during this season. It looks like Kawhi Leonard won’t be back, but George gives the feisty Clippers some star power at the right time.
Sources: After months of waiting, Paul George is targeting a return this week. As long as there are no setbacks, his return should be very near.https://t.co/sXpcoUQ1VK
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) March 28, 2022
March 25 update: George remains without a timetable for return, which is tough considering where the Clippers are in the standings. They’re destined for the play-in tournament, something they’d love to have George for. The star forward has been cleared for practice, but there’s still a long way to go before he can return to game action.
February 25 update: George’s MRI on his elbow shows he’s making progress towards a return but still doesn’t have an official timetable to come back, per head coach Ty Lue.
Ty Lue says Paul George’s MRI reveals he is feeling better and making progress but that he “will need more time. He’s feeling better and that is the most important thing.”
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) February 26, 2022
George was reportedly scheduled to get an MRI on his elbow today, but it has been pushed back to Friday. This season, the 31-year-old forward is averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game (26 games). It is not clear if the veteran forward will return to the court, especially with how the Clippers have played up to this point.
As for Leonard, head coach Tyronn Lue said earlier this month that they know he probably is not going to come back. If that’s the case, then the earliest we’ll see the two-way defensive stalwart is next season. When it comes to the betting perspective, the Clippers have -145 odds to make the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook. This Los Angeles team can win their play-in game and could give whoever the play in the first-round trouble.
And when we talk about the fantasy hoops angle, Terance Mann, Amir Coffey, and Luke Kennard have all provided value. This Clippers’ team does not depend on one player to score, instead they are better when multiple players are getting involved.