Clippers' Kawhi Leonard expects knee to be chronic issue

Even though he continues to deal with right knee inflammation, Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard doesn't intend to miss the team's season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23.

Speaking to reporters at the Clippers' media day on Monday, Leonard indicated that his knee issues won't be going away anytime soon and could plague him for the remainder of his career. However, the 33-year-old is optimistic he'll at least be able to control the injury with the help of the Los Angeles medical staff.

"There's some stuff we can do or try to do to make me last," Leonard said. "We'll see what happens."

Leonard has had three surgeries on his right knee since the 2021 playoffs, with the most recent procedure coming this offseason. He did not play for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, and should he take the floor against Phoenix on Opening Night, it would mark his first live game action since Game 3 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks in April.

"Yeah, that's the plan," Leonard said about playing vs. the Suns. "I'm never planning to miss games. It's just about my body. I'm a human being. And we're playing basketball. So it all depends on what we want and what we figure out and how my body's feeling.

"As of right now, I think it's a positive thing to think that I will play. But we're taking it day-by-day."

The ailing knee limited Leonard to only two games in the Dallas series, and he missed the final eight regular-season games in 2023-24.

In 68 games last season (all starts), Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.

Leonard played in just 52 games (50 starts) a season prior after missing the entire 2021-22 campaign.

--Field Level Media