INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard appears to be on the verge of returning to the court.
The Los Angeles Clippers have updated Leonard’s status from out to questionable on their injury report as of Friday evening. This change suggests he might be in the lineup for his season opener on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Leonard has been sidelined due to recovery from a right knee injury. His last appearance was on April 26 in Game 3 of the Clippers’ playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.

Last season, he missed 12 of the final 14 games due to right knee inflammation but believed he was fit enough to compete in the summer representing USA Basketball. After being selected for the Olympic team and attending training camp in Las Vegas, he was eventually sent home by the U.S. team management, who expressed concerns about his knee’s ability to withstand the demands of play, leading to Derrick White taking his place on the roster that eventually clinched gold in Paris.

A two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, and six-time All-NBA player, Leonard has faced persistent injury challenges throughout his career. Over the past eight years, he has missed 290 regular-season games, and he did not participate at all in the 2021-22 season due to knee issues. Last season, however, marked a relatively healthy point for him, as he played 68 games—his highest number since suiting up for 74 games with the San Antonio Spurs in the 2016-17 season.

Reflecting on his injuries during the summer, Leonard shared, “This is just my journey. I can’t lay out the perfect script for me. Last year I tried to play as much as possible, felt great, and at a certain period of time I couldn’t go. I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. … I motivate a lot of people, so I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing.”

A member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, Leonard has averaged 20 points per game throughout his career, showcasing his scoring ability and talent on the court despite the setbacks he has faced.