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Kawhi Leonard playing tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans remains questionable. The two-time NBA Finals MVP sat out the second half of the LA Clippers'108-94 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
The plan was for him to play his first back-to-back games since 2021, but he will be heavily monitored before cleared to play. Clippers head coach Ty Lue told the media after the game that he expects "The Claw" to have no restrictions tonight versus the Pelicans.
Leonard was also unavailable on Wednesday for personal reasons.
What is Kawhi Leonard's status tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans?
The LA Clippers haven't submitted their injury report yet, but Kawhi Leonard is expected to be questionable.
LA's move to rest Leonard in the second half versus the Memphis Grizzlies to potentially make him available tonight was somewhat confusing. They were up by 20 points in the first quarter but squandered it in the second half.
One of the NBA's best two-way players was looking from the sidelines as his team slowly but steadily collapsed. Ty Lue could have inserted him to save the Clippers and potentially get the win.
The loss only makes Kawhi Leonard's presence even more important tonight. If for some reason he's not cleared to play, then the move to sideline him in the second half against the Grizzlies has already backfired.
Also read: Colin Cowherd gives interesting analogy comparing Kawhi Leonard and Lamar Jackson
What is Kawhi Leonard's impact on the LA Clippers?
Even if Paul George is available (he's out with a sprained knee), the LA Clippers are still Kawhi Leonard's team. When the two-time champ is available, the Clippers are 30-18. If he's unable to play, his team is only 11-19 this season.
The huge difference in win-loss record when he plays and when he's not around says a ton about his impact on the team. "PG13" nearly carried the Clippers to the playoffs last year without Leonard.
If George had not contacted Covid-19 as LA was fighting for the play-in spot, they might have barged into the pre-playoff format. But had they somehow managed to get into the postseason, they would surely have been toasted without Kawhi Leonard.
The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner had a slow start to the season. Over his last 30 games, he's rounded up in form, reminding the NBA of what he can still do.
Leonard is averaging 27.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals. He is also shooting 53.5% from the field, including 47.4% from behind the arc.
The LA Clippers can only go as far as Kawhi Leonard can take them.
You may also like to read: "He's been back to his Jordan fashion” – Kendrick Perkins equates Kawhi Leonard’s recent form to Michael Jordan
