The NBA matchup on Thursday, February 13th, featuring the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, promises to be an intriguing clash.

Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
While both teams look to make their mark in the Western Conference, Kawhi Leonard is catching the wind. Fans are curious about his availability for the game.

Leonard is expected to sit out for the Thursday game. Though he was not listed on the injury report for the last game. However, the Clippers enter the game with a favorable 29-23 record and a 6th place in the Western Conference. Despite facing a recent slump with three losses in their last five games, they put up a winning show against the Jazz just days prior.

During the last game against Utah, the Clippers snapped a 130-110 victory, snapping their three-game losing streak. The win came in handy with significant contributions from Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, who both scored 26 points. However, Kawhi did not have much time to contribute, as he put up just 10 points in his 31 minutes of play.

Zubac shot 13 of 16 from the field and recorded a season-high 15 rebounds. James Harden also made a notable impact, scoring 23 points while dishing out a season-high 17 assists. The Jazz were led by Jordan Clarkson with 24 points. They struggled to maintain their momentum after taking an early lead, with Clarkson scoring 14 points in the first quarter alone.

Kawhi Leonard Jokes About His Return

It’s been a few hits and mostly missed opportunities for Kawhi Leonard. He is back on the court for the Clippers after a significant absence due to knee inflammation. And he’s keen to make his return as smooth as possible for his teammates.

Aware of the adjustments his squad has had to make in his absence, Leonard has expressed confidence that he won’t disrupt the chemistry they’ve developed. He emphasizes that the team’s current standing means there’s no tension about his return.

“No. Not at all. No … I don’t feel no way about stepping on anybody toes. It’s not like we’re the No. 1 seed or something,” Kawhi said as per Sports Illustrated.

As the Clippers have navigated his absence, many players have carved out their roles, leading to concerns about how Leonard’s comeback might impact the locker room dynamics. However, his straightforward approach suggests that he’s focused on collective improvement rather than individual accolades.

While Leonard’s current stats show he’s not yet at his full potential, he is committed to finding his rhythm and contributing to the team’s success. He’s averaging 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.