Ivica Zubac added 20 points and 15 rebounds to help the Clippers win Game 1.
Kawhi Leonard will not play in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals due to right knee inflammation.
Paul George and James Harden stepped up with a combined 50 points in Leonard's absence.
Kawhi Leonard, star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, will not play in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee inflammation. The injury has kept Leonard out of action since March 31 and his status for future games is uncertain. The Clippers have been unlucky with injuries in the playoffs, as both Leonard and Paul George have missed significant time in recent years.
Leonard had a standout season, playing a career-high 68 games and averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He was named to the All-Star team for the sixth time in his career.
The Clippers managed to win Game 1 without Leonard's contribution, leading by as many as 29 points against the Mavericks. Paul George and James Harden stepped up with a combined 50 points, while Ivica Zubac added 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Leonard has had a history of knee injuries in the playoffs, including partially torn ACLs in both knees. He missed the final three games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz last season due to a torn meniscus. The Clippers lost that series 4-1.
The Clippers will need to rely on their depth and teamwork if Leonard remains sidelined for an extended period. Paul George, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac will need to continue their strong performances in order for the team to advance in the playoffs.
Leonard had career-highs in minutes per game (34.3), field goal percentage (52.5), and total dunks (76) this season.
Leonard last played on March 31 and has missed the last eight games.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank described Leonard’s injury as ‘very stubborn inflammation'
Leonard has had the last three postseasons compromised by right knee injuries and procedures, including a partially torn ACL in 2021 and a torn meniscus in 2022.
Accuracy
]Kawhi Leonard will not play in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Dallas Mavericks due to right knee inflammation.[
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
No formal fallacies found in the author's statements. However, there is an example of inflammatory rhetoric and a potential appeal to authority. The inflammatory rhetoric comes from the description of Leonard's injury as 'very stubborn inflammation', which implies that it is unusually difficult to manage and could be seen as a criticism of the team's handling of the situation. The potential appeal to authority comes from quoting Clippers president Lawrence Frank describing Leonard's injury and their efforts to manage it. This should not be counted as a fallacy since it is relevant information about the player's condition.
Very stubborn inflammation
Clippper's president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Wednesday that Leonard would be listed as questionable for Game 1 despite not taking any contact in any practice before Sunday.
Suns guard Grayson Allen has been diagnosed with an ankle sprain after leaving today’s game, and his availability for Game 2 will depend on how he responds to treatment.
The Warriors may need to make aggressive moves on the trade market for another chance at a title during Stephen Curry’s era, with Karl-Anthony Towns or Dejounte Murray being potential targets.
Accuracy
Kawhi Leonard is out for Game 1 of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks.
The LA Clippers have listed Kawhi Leonard as questionable for Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Kawhi Leonard last played on March 31 and has missed the last eight games.
Leonard's next opportunity to play will be in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
Kawhi Leonard signed a contract extension with the Clippers that will pay him $153 million over the next three years.
