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UPDATE: Dec. 29, 8:20 p.m. — Leonard has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game vs. the T-Wolves, per coach Ty Lue. Luke Kennard started in place of Leonard on Sunday vs. the Mavs and will do so again. Lue also added that he isn’t sure when Kawhi will get his stitches removed and the All-Star remains day-to-day.
UPDATE: Dec. 28, 4:12 p.m. — Leonard is listed as questionable along with Marcus Morris for Tuesday vs. the Blazers.
Kawhi Leonard (mouth) and Marcus Morris (knee) returned to practice Monday for the Clippers, but coach Tyronn Lue said both were questionable to play Tuesday against the Timberwolves. Coming off the worst loss in franchise history Sunday, Lue said 'what game' when asked about it
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) December 28, 2020
UPDATE: Dec. 28, 1:51 p.m. — Leonard’s status for Tuesday’s game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves is still unclear, coach Ty Lue told reporters on Monday afternoon. The Clips have a back-to-back set, so there’s a chance Kawhi sits on Tuesday and is back on Wednesday vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
Ty Lue said he talked to Kawhi Leonard yesterday and Leonard told him he was feeling good with the mouth laceration. Lue said he hasn't spoken to medical team about the back-to-back plan for Leonard if he is available for both games.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 28, 2020
UPDATE: Dec. 27, 1:51 p.m. — Leonard has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Mavericks and Luke Kennard will start in his place. The Clippers-Mavs game is a 3:30 p.m. ET start and is off the main slate. Kennard ($6,300 CPT, $4,200 FLEX) is a decent option in the Showdown contest, but he’ll likely be pretty chalky with an hour and change until lock.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will not play today against Dallas, per source. He suffered a lacerated mouth two days ago in a win against Denver.
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) December 27, 2020
UPDATE: Dec. 26 — Leonard is questionable to play in Sunday’s game vs. the Dallas Mavericks. He received 8 stitches after a collision with Ibaka on Christmas Day in the fourth quarter.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is questionable to play vs. Dallas tomorrow because of a mouth laceration (which required 8 stitches last night), according to the team. Marcus Morris (knee soreness) remains out.
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) December 27, 2020
Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave Friday night’s Christmas Day game vs. the Denver Nuggets after suffering a laceration following a collision with teammate Serge Ibaka. He was forced to go to the locker room after being down on the court bleeding for a while. I won’t post the picture directly but will link it out here (there’s blood so beware).
Update: Leonard will not return to the game after taking an elbow by Ibaka. Here’s a video of the incident. Again, it’s pretty graphic, so will link it out. Ty Lue commented on the status of Leonard after the win.
Ty Lue said Kawhi Leonard is still being evaluated and that he didn't see the play when it happened. However, the Clippers coach thinks Leonard will be fine. "He got up and walked off the floor, so he's gonna be good."
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 26, 2020
Kawhi exited the game with 21 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 30 minutes. The Clippers have pretty much been coasting to a win all game long, though the Nuggets appear to be making a late push in the fourth. Still, it looks like L.A. will improve to 2-0 on the season, though it’s unclear if Leonard will be OK for Sunday’s game vs. the Dallas Mavericks.