Los Angeles Clippers after a win in the first game of the series against Phoenix Suns believed they can win the series against the Suns. The LA Clippers are now wondering if they can make it to the 2nd round after two back to back losses. The team’s best player Kawhi Leonard injury has now lowered LA Clippers chance of winning against Phoenix Suns.
Kawhi Leonard was ruled out of game 3 due to sprained right knee. Leonard aggravated his injury at the end of LA Clippers 1st game. He managed to play through the 2nd game logging 31 points in 39 minutes. His high usage rate in the 2nd game has resulted in Kawhi missing out Game 3.
The President of Basketball operations of the Clippers, Frank Lawrence confirmed the injury is not related to the torn ACL injury which ruled out Kawhi Leonard for the entire 2021-22 season. “Symptoms got worse after Game 2,” “Obviously, if we weren’t comfortable with [Leonard] playing [in Game 2], we wouldn’t have. But after the game, things didn’t get better. They got worse. So we will rule him out and kind of take it day by day,” Lawrence further added.
The Clippers entered game 3 without Kawhi Leonard & Paul George (Sprained right Knee injury). LA Clippers put up a strong fight against the Suns losing 129-124. Devin Booker logged 45 points. Kevin Durant scored 28 points, six rebounds and five assists in Game 3.
Will Kawhi Leonard Play in Game 4?
Kawhi Leonard will be monitored on day to day basis before Game 4 of the series on Saturday. He is listed as probable for crucial game 4 of the series with the Suns as favorites.
Clippers coach Tye Lue after his team’s win in the 1st game said his team believed it could win the series. Kawhi was unstoppable in the 1st two games of the series averaging 34.5 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. On Wednesday before Game 3, Tye Lue got to know the severity of Kawhi’s Knee injury. He informed the team that Kawhi is Unavailable for shoot around on Thursday before the tip off.
Tye Lue after LA Clippers game 3 loss to the Suns said “It’s very deflating.” “I think more so for Kawhi Leonard, because you have a guy who’s coming off ACL, hasn’t missed a rehab session, eats right, eats clean, does everything he can for his body, works extremely hard to get to this point. Then you have something like this happen.
“So it’s tough for him, for all the work that he puts in. I feel bad for him,” Lue further added.
Russell Westbrook on Kawhi’s Injury
Russell Westbrook said: “I just feel sorry for him.” “He probably was playing his best basketball in a while, probably the best in the world honestly. It just sucks just for him mentally.
“But it was good to see Kawhi Leonard be around [at Game 3] and communicate with us on the bench. Hopefully, we can see how he’s feeling and see what’s next. If he’s not back, we have to rally around each other, support each other, find ways to make something happen. It’s a series. First to four. Get ready for Saturday afternoon.” (Source: ESPN)
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