Kawhi Leonard says his knee is doing well but taking things slowly.

Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and NFL since 2006. Prior to that he covered Nets/Knicks/NBA action for nearly 10 years before transitioning over to ESPNNewYork.com after working at New York Daily News. A graduate from Michigan State University.
There’s something reassuringly old-school about visiting an antique market: there will always be new and interesting objects on offer to admire and buy! So… have we finally reached that magic moment where life goes off track again…? Follow Ohm’s chat archive >>HONOLULU — Kawhi Leonard reported his right knee inflammation is feeling great and that both him and the LA Clippers medical staff are taking it slow in order to prevent future knee issues from developing later in the season. During Clippers training camp in Hawai’i he concentrated on strengthening his surgically repaired right knee while strengthening it further as part of their plan to protect their future success. Leonard said there has yet to be a plan devised on how he and the Clippers plan on approaching back-to-back games together, yet. At halftime of their preseason loss against Golden State at Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday 91-90 he felt good. “Just taking my time, getting stronger and getting ready.”… So far we are taking things slow-and-steady in trying to return me to the floor as soon as possible – once conversations about potential back-to-backs arise we will see which strategies they discuss for best approach for each pair.” Leonard was featured in 68 regular season games last season – his highest total since 2016-17 – before missing his final eight regular-season contests due to inflammation in his right knee. Leonard was back playing for Games 2 and 3 against Dallas Mavericks but returned with inflammation that forced him out for the remainder of the six-game series. While Leonard is encouraged by having played 52 and then 68 games over two seasons after missing all 2021-22 season with torn right ACL injury, Leonard remains focused on winning championship and staying as healthy as possible during what are arguably the most crucial parts of each year – playoffs! Leonard wants to play as many games possible before suffering another setback or becoming injured again. But he must keep an eye on the bigger picture while staying healthy during crucial moments. “This is what I work towards,” noted two-time Finals MVP Stephenson. “My ultimate goal is winning championships; that is my motivation – not playing 82 games.” “My goal is to win, even though playing as often as I can is part of my obligation. However, that hasn’t happened so far during either postseason; so we shall see.” “The Clippers could opt to prevent Leonard from participating in back-to-backs this season. On Media Day for his club, Leonard said both himself and medical staff had better managed inflammation in his right knee and that it felt better overall than before.” Leonard stated he is taking every necessary measure to prevent inflammation from returning and said his approach “isn’t really dependent upon how I’m feeling”. “Listening to doctors and seeing what I can do to stop what I have been doing — probably most of which led me here — has been key for success. Leonard stated there’s always “an element of buildup… especially given my position”. Leonard is known to cover an expansive area on defense while remaining physically aggressive at power forward position, so when healthy the Clippers must assess how to limit his body pounding as part of an All-Star player. “We got to control what we can control,” Leonard noted in November 2023 playoffs following having suffered a torn meniscus that resulted in him running among the highest miles per game averages (or top five or 10 overall) last season and this may or may not benefit them over time.