Is Kawhi Leonard Playing Tonight vs Suns? Clippers’ 2x FMVP’s Injury Report Ahead of a Crucial Game 5

The Los Angeles Clippers are on the verge of another post-season heartbreak and this time probably without both their perennial stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Both of them have played together in only one elimination series in the past four Playoffs, that was their first season in LA. Following that in their 2021 elimination, Leonard did not take part in the team’s Conference Finals in 2021 and their Play-in game last year.

Now as the Clippers are going to face the Suns, who just need one win to get to the Conference Semi-finals, The Klaw’s knee sprain might keep him out of action again. Let’s find out whether he is playing Game 5 or not.

Is Kawhi Leonard playing tonight against the Phoenix Suns?

As per the injury report by the LA Clippers, Kawhi Leonard will not play against Kevin Durant and Co. in Game 5 as he has not been able to fully recover from the sprain on his right knee.

Breaking: Kawhi Leonard is listed as out for Game 5 vs. the Suns. pic.twitter.com/smx7sjbv3h

— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2023

He joins Paul George on the list as ‘out’, downgraded from questionable in the last two games.

There is little to no hope for the Clippers to prevail. They are just relying on the tough shoulders of Russell Westbrook who has kept this competition alive by giving all he has got in every minute of the series he has played.

Is there any chance for the Clippers to survive this?

As good as Brodie has been in the past four games averaging 26 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, tonight could very well be his last and the Clippers’ last playoff game of 2023.

The opposition team has KD, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul to cry out loud. They need just one of them to go off, and right now, they are all swishing their shots. So, there won’t be anything Westbrook would be able to do to stop them.

By some miracle, if it turns out to be a bad night for all 3 of them, only then the Clippers could have their opportunity for the win. Let’s wait and watch what we have in store in Phoenix tonight.

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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