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Clippers announce Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery on partially torn ACL

By Natalie Abele

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clipperslooks to pass during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on May 11, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clipperslooks to pass during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on May 11, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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The LA Clippers announced on Tuesday that Kawhi Leonard underwent surgery to repair his partially torn ACL.

Kawhi Leonard had surgery on his right knee today, confirming the extent of the injury that kept him out of the Western Conference Finals.

The LA Clippers announced the successful procedure today via a media release.

Leonard averaged 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists a night in 11 games this postseason. He last played on June 14 against the Utah Jazz. According to The Athletic, when asked about his knee postgame, the enigmatic forward simply said “I’m good, next question.”

Leonard recovering from surgery as deadline on player option approaches

Prior to Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, there were reports that Leonard was not ruling out a return should the Clippers have reached the NBA Finals. The Phoenix Suns ended all of that discussion with a blowout victory to put the Clippers’ playoff run to bed, so we’ll never know how much the ultra-competitive Leonard might have been willing to risk for another NBA title.

Instead, it’s been two seasons of “what-ifs” for the Clippers, and the two-time Finals MVP has endured a tweet storm from San Antonio Spurs fans calling out their former star and his “load management” routine.

Leonard must now use his recovery time to decide whether or not to exercise the player option on his contract for 2021-22. Rumor has it, he might not be very happy with Clippers training staff, though some of that may have been repaired by their ability to keep such a serious knee injury under wraps for so long.

There’s no official timeline for Leonard’s return to the court, but we’ve been here before. If Leonard opts out, he will almost certainly stand to make even more money from the Clippers or another team of his choosing. The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks are considered serious suitors.

The deadline for Leonard’s latest decision is Aug. 1, 2021. Until then, all we can do is wish him a speedy recovery.

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