Kawhi To Miss 4th Straight Game With "Knee Injury Management"

When does "knee injury management" just become, simply, "knee injury"? That's the question basketball fans are asking after the Los Angeles Clippers announced that Kawhi Leonard will be sitting out his 4th straight game on Monday. 

REPORT: Kawhi Leonard is out for a fourth consecutive game due to “knee management.”

(via @TomerAzarly, @TheSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/1hVByDKKqL

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 31, 2022

He was set to play last Tuesday but experienced "stiffness" in his surgically repaired knee after shootaround. He was held out of that game, plus Thursday and Sunday's games, and now again Monday night. 

Leonard played two of the Clippers' first three games after missing the entire 2021-22 season recovering from surgery on a partially torn ACL in his right knee. He averaged 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 21 minutes played in those two games, coming off the bench in both. 

But to be sitting out four straight games? That doesn't sound like "load management" at this point. 

The Kawhi situation should be a lot louder than it is. Something is CLEARY up with his body.

— BG (@Bgmegamanzero1) October 29, 2022

Head coach Tyronn Lue, however, has downplayed concerns regarding Leonard’s knee, according to Law Murray in The Athletic, saying that Kawhi is "feeling better" and they'll continue to monitor his status on a game-to-game basis.

The Clippers have now lost four straight games, are 2-4 on the season, and in 12th in the Western Conference. They will also be without John Wall and Robert Covington for tonight's home game against the Houston Rockets. 

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports