L.A. Clippers fans are no doubt eager to see star Kawhi Leonard back on the court after missing the team's first 27 games, but will he play on Thursday, December 19th, against the Dallas Mavericks? Leonard has been ramping up to a return, and the Clippers have done an admirable job of staying in the mix in the brutal Western Conference without their best player.
While they probably don't have a chance to make a deep playoff run, they also don't own their own pick this year. That puts them in between a rock and a hard place, and they are left to try and make the best of their situation. That starts with getting Leonard healthy.
He has developed a reputation over the years for being a great player but also being unreliable when it comes to actually playing games. He previously missed the entire 2021-22 season with an ACL injury and also missed 73 games back in 2017-18 as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. He has since struggled with leg and knee injuries, keeping the Clippers from becoming true contenders.
L.A. Clippers full injury report against the Dallas Mavericks
Joining Kawhi on the Clippers injury report are Kobe Brown, Terance Mann, P.J. Tucker, and Derrick Jones Jr. All five players are expected to miss Thursday's game against the Mavs. Tucker is away from the team as they look to trade him; Mann has a fractured finger, Jones Jr. has a hamstring injury, and Brown is out with a back injury.
Dallas Mavericks full injury report against the L.A. Clippers
On the other hand, the Mavs have plenty of players on the injury report as well. Naji Marshall, Brandon Williams, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic are all listed as day-to-day, though that doesn't mean that each will miss their game against the Clippers on Thursday, December 19th.
However, Maxi Kleber, Dante Exum, and Jaden Hardy are all out with rib, wrist, and ankle injuries, respectively. It is safe to say that the Mavs are banged up, but having three full days off due to the NBA Cup likely will help them get healthy. The same could be said for the Clippers, as they await Leonard's return.
All in all, Kawhi is making strides ahead of his inevitable return. However, he doesn't appear likely to return for the Clippers' game against the Mavs, but he may soon return.