The Clippers will open the playoffs Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena without Kawhi Leonard due to right knee inflammation.
Coach Tyronn Lue confirmed Sunday that Leonard would not play in Game 1 after saying Saturday that “we don’t know yet,” whether Leonard would play.
The 6-foot-7-inch forward, who was selected for the All-Star Game for the sixth time in his 11-season career in February, hasn’t played since March 31, missing the final eight regular-season games. The Clippers were 4-4 during his absence, losing their final three games.
Lue said Leonard was day-to-day, with Game 2 of the series set for Tuesday.
Leonard shot around Friday and Lue said that on Saturday “he’ll be able to shoot more with a little bit more movement and he’s going to go through some of the practice as well,” but with no contact. As is customary, the practice was closed to reporters.
The Clippers were 51-31 in the regular season and are seeded fourth in the Western Conference. The Mavericks were 50-32 and are seeded fifth. Dallas went 21-9 after center Daniel Gafford and forward P.J. Washington, both starters, joined them after being acquired in separate trades made on Feb. 8, the NBA’s trading deadline.
The Clippers won their two most recent games against Dallas, 107-88 on Nov. 25 at home, and 120-111 on the road Dec. 20, after losing 144-126, Nov. 10 at Dallas.
The 12:30 p.m. game will be televised by ABC.