Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard credits load management for NBA Finals run
5 years, 7 months ago

Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard credits load management for NBA Finals run

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard said he would not be leading the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals if not for the team's load management. Former San Antonio Spurs star Leonard suffered a serious quadricep injury in the 2017 playoffs, which affected him throughout the following season. However, once San Antonio traded Leonard to the Raptors last offseason, it trusted the 2014 NBA champion enough to let him rest periodically throughout the year to avoid reaggravating the injury. REPORT | Raptors go 3-1 up Leonard — a three-time All-Star — believes his load management in 2018-19 helped Toronto reach the NBA Finals, which the Raptors lead 2-1 against the Golden State Warriors.

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History of this topic

Leonard says returning to the court is the easy part after making season debut for Clippers
3 days, 15 hours ago

Leonard says returning to the court is the easy part after making season debut for Clippers

Associated Press  

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After what Kawhi Leonard has gone through the past nine months, returning to the court for the Los Angeles Clippers was the easy part. It was his first NBA game action since Game 3 of the Clippers’ Western Conference first-round playoff series against Dallas on April 26. We were facing it like a preseason game tonight and …

Clippers: Kawhi Leonard’s progress ‘really good’ but he’s still not ready to return
1 week, 6 days ago

Clippers: Kawhi Leonard’s progress ‘really good’ but he’s still not ready to return

LA Times  

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard watches from the bench during a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 21. Kawhi Leonard took part in a five-on-five practice Thursday, and Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said his star forward is making progress in recovering from a right knee injury but there is still no timetable for his season debut. “So we got to …

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard returns to practice in limited role
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard returns to practice in limited role

LA Times  

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard last played in a game on April 26 in Game 3 of a playoff series against Dallas. But at the end of the day, we want what’s best for him.” It was Leonard’s first practice with the Clippers since last season as he recovers from a right knee injury. “He’s not playing this week,” Lue said, …

Clippers' Leonard: Optimism Despite Knee Concerns for Opening Night
3 months, 1 week ago

Clippers' Leonard: Optimism Despite Knee Concerns for Opening Night

Associated Press  

Kawhi Leonard is planning to be in the Los Angeles Clippers' lineup for opening night unless his balky right knee prevents him from inaugurating the team's new arena. The health of their superstar once again looms large after Leonard was limited to two postseason games last season because of inflammation in a knee that has been surgically repaired twice. He …

Kawhi Leonard ruled out with knee issue as Clippers win without him again to even series with Mavs
8 months, 1 week ago

Kawhi Leonard ruled out with knee issue as Clippers win without him again to even series with Mavs

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard was ruled out of Sunday’s Game 4 of a first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, with no timetable for his return from right knee inflammation. “When you watch him play, it was very obvious that is not Kawhi Leonard,” team president Lawrence Frank said before the game, calling the injury “tricky.” Frank …

Clippers glad to have Kawhi Leonard back, but will he play more in Game 3?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Clippers glad to have Kawhi Leonard back, but will he play more in Game 3?

LA Times  

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard drives past Dallas guard Kyrie Irving during the Clippers’ loss in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Mavericks on Tuesday. Lue said Leonard didn’t have any issues with his knee after playing 34:55 in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoffs Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. So now, the question is whether Lue …

Rusty Kawhi Leonard returns to the Clippers’ lineup in 96-93 loss to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Rusty Kawhi Leonard returns to the Clippers’ lineup in 96-93 loss to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A rusty Kawhi Leonard had 15 points and seven rebounds in his return for the Los Angeles Clippers, but he couldn’t prevent their 96-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Just keep trying to get a rhythm back.” Leonard wasn’t under a minutes restriction; instead, Tyronn Lue gauged how his superstar …

Kawakami: Warriors’ Klay Thompson keeps going, and his price tag keeps going up
9 months ago

Kawakami: Warriors’ Klay Thompson keeps going, and his price tag keeps going up

New York Times  

SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson didn’t jog through the corridor back into the Golden State Warriors’ locker room after his pregame workout on Sunday, he levitated. “Oh yeah, I feel great!” What happened over the next few hours, for anybody who witnessed the hallway hallelujah, seemed inevitable at that point: With Stephen Curry given the night off, Klay made five …

Kawhi Leonard to miss game against Kings because of sore knee
9 months ago

Kawhi Leonard to miss game against Kings because of sore knee

LA Times  

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard returned to Los Angeles on Monday to receive treatment on his sore right knee. Clippers All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard has a sore right knee and will miss the game Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, coach Tyronn Lue told reporters at the team’s shoot-around earlier in the day. “But yesterday was when we found out.” Lue …

Clippers sign 2-time NBA Finals MVP Leonard to a 3-year extension worth $152.3 million per AP source
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Clippers sign 2-time NBA Finals MVP Leonard to a 3-year extension worth $152.3 million per AP source

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — With the Los Angeles Clippers compiling one of their best rosters ever, Kawhi Leonard wanted to make sure the focus was on the quest for a first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history rather than his future. I’m in a moment in this season of trying to get us to a place we haven’t been before.” The …

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard joins team for Sunday’s practice
1 year ago

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard joins team for Sunday’s practice

LA Times  

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, scoring on a reverse layup against Kings forward Sasha Vezenkov during a game last month, is “fully” ready to practice after sitting out four games because of a left hip injury. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue provided some good news Sunday about star forward Kawhi Leonard, who has sat out the last four games because of a …

As the Clippers have surged in December, so has Kawhi Leonard, not coincidentally
1 year ago

As the Clippers have surged in December, so has Kawhi Leonard, not coincidentally

LA Times  

Three weeks before the Clippers began their December transformation into the NBA’s hottest team, they were leaving Dallas as perhaps its most ill-fitting. The starting lineup used to be a mishmash of overlapping or redundant skillsets; since Terance Mann joined Nov. 17, moving Russell Westbrook to the bench, the new starters are outscoring opponents by 16 points per 100 possessions …

Kevin Durant at 35: Living the NBA life he envisioned and still not satisfied
1 year, 2 months ago

Kevin Durant at 35: Living the NBA life he envisioned and still not satisfied

New York Times  

PHOENIX — The photo was from 2007, Kevin Durant’s first season in professional basketball. Still, in 47 games Durant ranked among the league’s elite shotmakers, averaging 29.1 points and shooting 56 percent from the field, 40.4 from 3 and 91.9 from the foul line. He doesn’t see a lot of people, so it’s just making it tough on him, pushing …

NBA 2023: Kawhi Leonard recovering from another knee surgery
1 year, 6 months ago

NBA 2023: Kawhi Leonard recovering from another knee surgery

The Hindu  

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard underwent another knee surgery after being forced out of the playoff series loss to the Phoenix Suns. Watch Video: Victor Wembanyama goes to Spurs as No.1 pick The concern for the franchise is that Leonard also injured his right knee during the 2021 postseason and missed the next season. President of basketball operations Lawrence …

NBA: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell return to Toronto again
2 years ago

NBA: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell return to Toronto again

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell will return to oppose the team they helped win the 2019 NBA championship when Los Angeles Clippers visits Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Leonard did not play, and Powell scored 16 points for the Clippers on Monday in their 142-131 overtime victory over the host Detroit Pistons. Two wins in a row After losing six straight, …

Kawhi Leonard is back to lift Clippers’ expectations: ‘With him … we’re a different team.’
2 years, 1 month ago

Kawhi Leonard is back to lift Clippers’ expectations: ‘With him … we’re a different team.’

New York Times  

LOS ANGELES — After a pre-shootaround workout Thursday morning, the Clippers upgraded Kawhi Leonard from out to questionable, and later announced him as a starter against the Pistons. When asked when he knew Leonard would be coming back, Jackson responded, “When I heard, ‘At 6-foot-7, from the I.E., Kawhi Leonard.’ That’s when I knew, that’s when it was sure for …

Kawhi Leonard on the verge of returning for Clippers, but will he be the same?
2 years, 1 month ago

Kawhi Leonard on the verge of returning for Clippers, but will he be the same?

LA Times  

Kawhi Leonard is on the verge of a return after the Clippers upgraded the status of their All-Star wing to questionable to play Thursday against Detroit. After surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in July 2021 and missing all of last season, Leonard shouldered high expectations entering this season, with the Clippers planning to slowly build up his …

Clippers explain why Kawhi Leonard came off bench in win over Lakers
2 years, 2 months ago

Clippers explain why Kawhi Leonard came off bench in win over Lakers

LA Times  

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard played his first meaningful game in 16 months in the team’s season-opening victory over the Lakers on Thursday night. Kawhi Leonard waited 493 days to play in an NBA regular-season game before the Clippers’ season opener — then he had to wait a bit longer before his return from knee surgery became official. “Starting I would …

Kawhi Leonard 'cleared for full participation' for training camp
2 years, 3 months ago

Kawhi Leonard 'cleared for full participation' for training camp

Daily Mail  

Kawhi Leonard is set to return from injury and play 5-on-5 in training camp next week, as the five-time All-Star has reportedly been cleared for full participation following his 2021 ACL tear. Paul George missed a large chunk of last season through injury, playing just 31 games 'When you're dealing with a major injury, you can't predict,' Frank said. Leonard's …

NBA 75: At No. 34, Kawhi Leonard’s hard work and singular focus has made him an all-time great
3 years ago

NBA 75: At No. 34, Kawhi Leonard’s hard work and singular focus has made him an all-time great

New York Times  

The last time Kawhi Leonard played in a basketball game was Game 4 of the 2021 Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. “I don’t care about the Western Conference finals,” Leonard said with the Clippers two wins away from the star-crossed franchise’s first-ever conference finals appearance. Like, ‘You’re going to be the guy now, because Timmy is getting older, …

Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard: No timeline for rehab; hasn’t ruled out playing this season
3 years, 3 months ago

Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard: No timeline for rehab; hasn’t ruled out playing this season

LA Times  

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and team executive consultant Jerry West chat during the groundbreaking ceremony for Intuit Dome. Kawhi Leonard says he doesn’t use social media, and yet last August, as the free-agent superstar considered returning to the Clippers on a short-term deal, he envisioned speculation about his intentions going viral. Two months after undergoing surgery on his right knee …

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard ruled out of playoff tie against Utah Jazz through injury
3 years, 6 months ago

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard ruled out of playoff tie against Utah Jazz through injury

Firstpost  

The Clippers announced that Leonard sprained his right knee during the Clippers’ series-levelling win in game four on Monday, and will miss Wednesday’s crucial game five in Salt Lake City. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Wednesday’s NBA playoff clash with the Utah Jazz after suffering a right knee injury, the team said. …

NBA: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George out due to COVID protocols - Sports News - Sportstar
3 years, 11 months ago

NBA: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George out due to COVID protocols - Sports News - Sportstar

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been ruled out for the Los Angeles Clippers’ game against the host Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday due to the NBA’s health and safety COVID-19 protocols, while point guard Patrick Beverley will miss the game due to a sore right knee, according to ESPN. Leonard nearly posted a triple-double with 34 points, nine rebounds and …

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to become first San Diego State player to have his jersey retired
4 years, 11 months ago

NBA: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to become first San Diego State player to have his jersey retired

Firstpost  

Leonard helped lead the Aztecs to national prominence during his two seasons, including reaching their first Sweet 16 and finishing a program-best 34-3 in the 2010-11 season San Diego: Kawhi Leonard will become the first San Diego State player to have his jersey retired when the No 7 Aztecs honour him 1 February during a game against Utah State. Leonard …

Kawhi Leonard plays down Michael Jordan comparisons
5 years, 2 months ago

Kawhi Leonard plays down Michael Jordan comparisons

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard played down being compared to Michael Jordan by Doc Rivers after inspiring the Los Angeles Clippers to a 105-94 victory over the Utah Jazz. Rivers stated during the play-offs last season that Leonard was "the most like Jordan that we've seen", a compliment that cost him $50,000 for violating the NBA's anti-tampering policy. The Clippers coach was asked …

NBA: Kyle Lowry agrees to $31 million one-year contract extension with reigning champions Toronto Raptors, according to reports
5 years, 3 months ago

NBA: Kyle Lowry agrees to $31 million one-year contract extension with reigning champions Toronto Raptors, according to reports

Firstpost  

Keeping Lowry solidifies the core roster for the defending NBA champions, who lost NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in a major setback to their repeat hopes New York: Five-time NBA All-Star guard Kyle Lowry has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the reigning champion Toronto Raptors worth $31 million, ESPN reported Monday. …

Raptors' Kyle Lowry had procedure to repair tendon injury in thumb, claims report
5 years, 5 months ago

Raptors' Kyle Lowry had procedure to repair tendon injury in thumb, claims report

The Hindu  

Kyle Lowry had a lingering problem handled on Thursday. The Raptors guard had a procedure to repair a tendon injury in his left thumb, according to ESPN, which cited unidentified league sources. Lowry suffered the injury during Toronto's second-round playoff series against the 76ers — en route to its 2018-19 NBA title. Lowry averaged 7.2 assists per game in the …

Kawhi Leonard officially signed with Los Angeles Clippers, reportedly opts for three-year deal
5 years, 5 months ago

Kawhi Leonard officially signed with Los Angeles Clippers, reportedly opts for three-year deal

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard has officially joined the Los Angeles Clippers, but has reportedly made a surprising decision regarding his contract. Such an agreement would allow Leonard to become an unrestricted free agent alongside his co-star Paul George – whose arrival from the Oklahoma City Thunder was also ratified on Wednesday – in two seasons, which puts pressure on the Clippers to …

Kawhi Leonard reportedly decides to join Clippers
5 years, 6 months ago

Kawhi Leonard reportedly decides to join Clippers

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard will reportedly spend next season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard, 28, is fresh off a season in which he led Toronto Raptors to the franchise's first NBA title and claimed Finals MVP honours. Read | Earthquake suspends anticipated Pelicans, Knicks Summer League game Incredibly, ESPN also reports Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George is joining Leonard at …

NBA: Kawhi Leonard taking time 'before deciding next move'
5 years, 6 months ago

NBA: Kawhi Leonard taking time 'before deciding next move'

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard’s free agency decision may not come for a few more days. The star and his representatives “are going through the process and taking their time before deciding the next move,” according to a report from The Athletic. The Lakers believe they're “firmly in the lead” to land the star because of the “recruiting efforts and assurances made on …

Kawhi Leonard’s recruitment was a slow process like his free-agency decision
5 years, 6 months ago

Kawhi Leonard’s recruitment was a slow process like his free-agency decision

LA Times  

As a star 6-foot-6 forward at Riverside King High in 2008, Kawhi Leonard possessed skillet-sized hands, a 7-foot wingspan and a steely demeanor. 2 / 11 Riverside King’s Kawhi Leonard is fouled by Taft’s Bryce Smith a Southern California Regional semifinal playoff game on March 6, 2008. 3 / 11 SanDiego State forward Kawhi Leonard reacts after he was mistakenly …

NBA Finals: Kawhi Leonard claims second MVP award
5 years, 6 months ago

NBA Finals: Kawhi Leonard claims second MVP award

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard trusted himself when people doubted he was injured last year, finding an inner calm that one year later has returned him to the level of NBA champion. Leonard won his second career NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award on Thursday, helping spark the Toronto Raptors to a 114-110 victory over Golden State Warriors and a 4-2 triumph in …

NBA Finals 2019: Kawhi Leonard revels in Raptors' success
5 years, 6 months ago

NBA Finals 2019: Kawhi Leonard revels in Raptors' success

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard reveled in the Raptors' first NBA title after beating the Warriors in Game Six on Thursday. The Raptors completed a 4-2 series win in the NBA Finals courtesy of a 114-110 victory at Oracle Arena. Leonard became just the third player to win the Finals MVP with two different teams, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James, having also …

NBA Finals: Kawhi Leonard reacts to Kevin Durant's injury
5 years, 6 months ago

NBA Finals: Kawhi Leonard reacts to Kevin Durant's injury

The Hindu  

Raptors star Kawhi Leonard offered some sympathy for Kevin Durant after the Warriors forward left Game 5 of the NBA Finals early with yet another injury. READ | Kyle Lowry unimpressed with Raptors fans' reaction to Kevin Durant injury "We work so hard to either play in the Finals or just play in the NBA, and when you're not playing, …

Toronto Raptors one win away from NBA title
5 years, 7 months ago

Toronto Raptors one win away from NBA title

The Hindu  

Toronto Raptors is on the verge of winning its first NBA titles after upstaging two-time reigning champion Golden State Warriors 105-92 in Game Four. Kawhi Leonard led the way as the Raptors took a 3-1 series lead on Friday, with Toronto only one victory away from a maiden championship. Raptors star Leonard posted 36 points and 12 rebounds to leave …

NBA Finals 2019: Rampant Raptors move halfway to first-ever title with victory over injury-hit Warriors in Game 3
5 years, 7 months ago

NBA Finals 2019: Rampant Raptors move halfway to first-ever title with victory over injury-hit Warriors in Game 3

Firstpost  

Upstart Toronto moved halfway to a first-ever title Wednesday with Kawhi Leonard scoring 30 points to lead the Raptors over the injury-hit Golden State Warriors 123-109 in the NBA Finals. Oakland: Upstart Toronto moved halfway to a first-ever title Wednesday with Kawhi Leonard scoring 30 points to lead the Raptors over the injury-hit Golden State Warriors 123-109 in the NBA …

NBA Finals: Defending champions Golden State Warriors unworried by defeat to Toronto Raptors, planning adjustments to style of play
5 years, 7 months ago

NBA Finals: Defending champions Golden State Warriors unworried by defeat to Toronto Raptors, planning adjustments to style of play

Firstpost  

Count on the Golden State Warriors, who had won 12 prior playoff openers, to bounce back as they fight for a third consecutive NBA crown and fourth in five seasons Toronto: A victory in Sunday’s second game of the NBA Finals would lift Toronto halfway to the title, but that isn’t over-exciting the Raptors or worrying defending champion Golden State. …

Raptors' Leonard calls Toronto experience 'special'
5 years, 7 months ago

Raptors' Leonard calls Toronto experience 'special'

The Hindu  

Kawhi Leonard has expressed his gratitude to the "special" Toronto fans as the Raptors bid to win a first NBA title. Read | Pascal Saikam-inspired Raptors take Game One "When you come in as a rookie, you're trying to stay in the league and you don't know what the league is about or if you're going to stick. "Obviously, it's …

NBA: Kawhi Leonard inspires Toronto Raptors to first final with win over top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks
5 years, 7 months ago

NBA: Kawhi Leonard inspires Toronto Raptors to first final with win over top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks

Firstpost  

The Raptors won the series in six games as Saturday’s contest at Scotiabank Arena was a mirror image of game five, featuring a strong start by Milwaukee before Toronto came back in the fourth quarter to close it out with several clutch plays down the stretch. Los Angeles: Kawhi Leonard finished with 27 points and a career high 17 rebounds …

NBA Playoffs 2019: Kawhi Leonard leads Toronto Raptors to gritty overtime win over Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3
5 years, 7 months ago

NBA Playoffs 2019: Kawhi Leonard leads Toronto Raptors to gritty overtime win over Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3

Firstpost  

Kawhi Leonard scored eight of his 36 points in the second overtime period to lead the Toronto Raptors to a gritty 118-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Los Angeles: Kawhi Leonard scored eight of his 36 points in the second overtime period on Sunday to lead the Toronto Raptors to a gritty 118-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in the …

Raptors leave Kawhi Leonard with too little help, 76ers keep looking better in taking Game 3
5 years, 8 months ago

Raptors leave Kawhi Leonard with too little help, 76ers keep looking better in taking Game 3

New York Times  

All season long, the Raptors closing speed has impressed. When he’s not on the floor at all, forget about it – the Raptors own an offensive rating of 54.1 with Leonard on the bench in this series, a mark so disastrous I triple-checked it. Lowry and Marc Gasol still aren’t presenting as very open shooting threats, and it’s allowing Philadelphia’s …

After the Raptors got the Kawhi Leonard they needed, 76ers await a better version of Jimmy Butler
5 years, 8 months ago

After the Raptors got the Kawhi Leonard they needed, 76ers await a better version of Jimmy Butler

New York Times  

TORONTO — Drake did what Drake does, front-runner and front-row seat heckler that he is — the rap superstar and Toronto Raptors’ superfan turned a moment into a meme. Kawhi Leonard made James Ennis look silly for reaching, then morphed into a cyclone, spinning around a flailing Jimmy Butler for a demoralizing layup that led Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown …

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