Inglewood, California – The Los Angeles Clippers will begin the season without star player Kawhi Leonard due to ongoing rehabilitation from inflammation in his right knee, as reported on Thursday.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Leonard will be out for an undetermined period, having not participated in any of the preseason games leading up to the conclusion of the series against Sacramento. Additionally, he has not engaged in any contact practices during training camp. The Clippers organization has yet to provide an official comment on Leonard’s status.

At the beginning of training camp, Leonard expressed optimism about his availability for the opening night lineup, asserting that it would depend on how his knee felt. He mentioned, “I never plan to miss games, but it’s just about my body. I’m a human being and we’re playing basketball,” indicating his commitment to being on the court as soon as possible.

The two-time Finals MVP has been focusing on stabilizing his knee to ensure he is ready for potential postseason action later in the year. He was unable to finish last season, missing the final eight games and only appearing in two during the Clippers’ first-round playoff exit to the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard commented on his recovery, saying, “There’s some stuff we can do or try to do to make me last. We’ll see what happens.”

Leonard, who is 33 years old, first reported knee issues back in March 2023, when he experienced inflammation in the knee that had previously undergone surgery. He had previously missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a torn ACL and has sat out 179 out of a possible 435 games since he became a member of the Clippers in 2019.

As the Clippers gear up for their season opener on October 23 against Phoenix in their new arena, the team will have to navigate the challenges of starting the season without one of their key players.