Kawhi Leonard recently spoke to the media for the first time in over three weeks, discussing his knee injury that has kept him out of games since March 31. Despite passing all conditions required for his return, Leonard looked rusty in Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks. The Clippers’ head coach, Ty Lue, stated that Leonard needs to improve as a unit with the team.
After the game, Leonard mentioned that he felt good physically but acknowledged that he has not practiced or had any contact before jumping into game time. He emphasized the need for improvement and more time to get better as a team. The Clippers are counting on Leonard to elevate their performance, as they struggled offensively with him on the court in the previous game.
With three days to prepare for the next game, the Clippers must address their offensive disarray and come back stronger in the series. Leonard’s return is crucial for the team’s success, but they need him to perform at a higher level moving forward. The team has a chance to bounce back and avoid falling behind 2-1 in the series with better teamwork and preparation.
The Clippers must also work on improving their defense as they allowed Dallas to score 105 points in Game 2. Lue stated that they need to be more focused and disciplined on defense if they want to succeed in this series. He emphasized that it is important for everyone on the team to communicate effectively and work together on defense.
Leonard is excited about returning to action and said he feels great physically. He expressed his gratitude towards his teammates for supporting him during his injury and said he is looking forward to being back on court with them.
As Game 3 approaches, both teams are aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The Clippers will need their full roster healthy if they want to compete with Dallas at this level. They have an opportunity to take control of the series if they can execute their offense effectively and defend well against Dallas’ potent lineup.
Overall, Kawhi Leonard’s return is crucial for the Clippers’ success in this series. With proper preparation and communication among teammates, they have a chance to turn things around and avoid falling behind in this playoff matchup.