NBA Injury report: Kawhi Leonard ruled out of Game 3 due to a knee injury

The LA Clippers will once again be without Kawhi Leonard in a crucial playoff game. He has been ruled out of Game 3 of their series against the Phoenix Suns due to a right knee sprain.

Leonard reportedly suffered the injury after the Clippers' riveting 115-110 win in Game 1 on Sunday. Leonard played 42 minutes and finished with 38 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. He was unquestionably the best player on both ends of the floor in that game.

He played well in Game 2 despite the injury. He was on the floor for 39 minutes and tallied 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Leonard was upstaged by Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker on the offensive end, but the Clippers forward was the best two-way player in the game.

Leonard is averaging 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals while hitting 54% of his shots. No one on the Clippers' roster is replacing that kind of production.

What has been impressive about Kawhi Leonard in the series against the Suns is his load on both ends of the floor. Coach Ty Lue has given him the bulk of the scoring burden and has also assigned him the task of guarding Kevin Durant.

In the first two games of the series, Leonard arguably bested Durant. However, that sizzling head-to-head matchup will have to be put on hold as Leonard nurses his injury.

Lue was visibly frustrated when he faced the media after being told by the training staff about Kawhi Leonard's status.

"I feel sorry for Kawhi because he's worked so hard to get to this point. But all the guys, we've got to step up, and they understand that. We've been in this position before, and we've just got to control what we can control."

Leonard has been listed as day-to-day. Game 4 will be on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET. It remains to be seen if his status will change by then.

The LA Clippers are also without Paul George for the entire series against the Phoenix Suns.

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The Phoenix Suns are poised to regain homecourt advantage without Kawhi Leonard in Game 3

The LA Clippers stole Game 1 and homecourt advantahe behind Leonard's spectacular performance. LA also received crucial contributions from Russell Westbrook, but it was Leonard who carried the team all game long.

Without Leonard in Game 3, the Clippers could give up what they worked so hard to achieve in the series opener. Los Angeles will head into tonight's game without its two best players.

Hopefully for Clippers fans, the two-time NBA Finals MVP will be back for Game 4. Otherwise, this series could be over as it returns to Phoenix for Game 5.

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