Los Angeles — The Los Angeles Clippers’ star forward Kawhi Leonard returned for Game 2 of the team’s first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, scoring 15 points in a 96-93 loss.
Leonard hadn’t played since March 31, missing the last eight regular-season games and Sunday’s Game 1 triumph due to irritation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Coach Ty Lue confirmed his return Tuesday approximately two hours before tipoff. Leonard played 35 minutes in the defeat, recording 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, and a block as the Clippers saw the Mavericks tie the best-of-seven series at one.
Game three is scheduled for Friday in Dallas.
Leonard had participated in practices, including Monday’s, prior to Game 2. When asked if Leonard had gone through contact before returning, Lue indicated that his star checked all of the boxes for a safe return but that the contact would come in game 2.
Last Thursday, Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank described Leonard’s inflammation as “unpredictable” and “stubborn.”.
In Game 2 versus Dallas, Leonard had an average of 32.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He appeared in 68 games this season, the most since his 2016–17 season with the Spurs.
