Kawhi Leonard Injury History: Looking at all of 2x NBA champion’s season-ending injuries

Kawhi Leonard's injury history is piling up. On the heels of the LA Clippers being eliminated from the NBA playoffs, news surfaced that Leonard had suffered a torn meniscus. The news, which came as a shock given that fans were unaware of the injury while Leonard sat on the sidelines, marked the latest in a long list of injuries.

Between the two-time champion's controversial injury in San Antonio and the season-ending ACL injury in the 2020-21 playoffs, let's take a look at Kawhi Leonard's injury history.

Although Leonard had shown early on in his career that he wasn't an 82-games-a-season type player, things took a steep turn when Leonard was injured in San Antonio. After then winning a championship with the Toronto Raptors, Leonard again suffered a catastrophic injury in the 2020-21 playoffs that resulted in him missing a full year.

With the latest meniscus tear, injuries have certainly been piling up for 'The Claw.'

Kawhi Leonard’s injury history and the three major injuries he sustained Kawhi Leonard’s injury history begins during the 2017-18 season, where he missed the first 27 games as the result of a quadriceps injury. Although he did briefly return to the court, he then was ruled out indefinitely in January while he rehabbed the injury.

Of course, after being cleared to play, Leonard got a second opinion which led to him distancing himself from the team. The fallout from Leonard’s disconnect led to him being raded to Toronto. After winning a title and heading home to Los Angeles, Leonard’s injury woes would continue.

Following a great 2019-20 regular season, Leonard went down in the 2020-21 playoffs with a season-ending ACL injury. Unfortunately, for Leonard and the Clippers, the injury would also result in him missing the entirety of the 2021-22 season.

This year, Leonard was able to play 52 games during the regular season, giving hope that he would be healthy for a playoff run. Unfortunately, after going down with a knee sprain in Game 1, Leonard was forced to watch the remainder of the series from the sidelines.

Currently, there is no timetable for his return. There are several different ways players can handle a torn meniscus. There are surgical options, as well as opportunities for recovery through rehab.

According to the latest reports, Leonard is still weighing his options. The route he chooses will largely determine how long it will be until her returns to the court. Whether or not he’s healthy enough to return next season, only time will tell.