Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard ruled out for Game 6

If the Los Angeles Clippers are to stay alive in the NBA Playoffs, they’ll have to keep doing it without Kawhi Leonard, who has been ruled out of Game 6.

LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Game 6, the team announced on Tuesday.

It’s unfortunate but expected news as the two-time NBA Finals MVP has yet to make an appearance in the 2021 Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns.

Leonard, who is celebrating his 30th birthday on Tuesday, is still struggling with a right knee sprain and has been unable to travel with the team.

Kawhi Leonard will not play in Game 6 of Western Conference Finals

The Clippers have thus far refused to provide a timeline on Leonard’s return, instead opting to update his status on a game-by-game basis. Whether this is a tactic for keeping the Suns on their toes or the team legitimately thinks he’s day-to-day is anyone’s guess. All we know for sure is that with an NBA Finals berth on the line, this is far beyond “load management” territory.

So far in the postseason, Kawhi Leonard has averaged 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from 3-point range.