Kawhi officially out for Game 3, CP3 probable to return

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Chris Paul #3 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of Team LeBron talk during Practice and Media Availability presented by AT&T as part of 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2020 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE

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Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been officially ruled out for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns due to his right knee sprain, the Clippers announced.

Meanwhile, Suns star Chris Paul, who reportedly cleared the NBA's health and safety protocols Wednesday and intends to play in Game 3, is tabbed as probable.

Health Update | Game 3:

▪️Abdel Nader: Right Knee Arthroscopy - OUT

▪️Chris Paul: Health and Safety Protocols - PROBABLE
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 24, 2021

Leonard's status for the rest of the conference finals is still undetermined. The five-time All-Star injured his knee in Game 4 of the previous round against the Utah Jazz and missed the final two games of the series. The L.A.-born forward also did not travel with his team to Phoenix for Games 1 and 2 against the Suns. The club reportedly fears Leonard has suffered an unspecified ACL injury.

Paul entered the league's health and safety protocols ahead of Game 1 and subsequently missed the first two games. However, Phoenix held its own without the veteran point guard, taking a 2-0 lead in the matchup as the series shifts to L.A. for Games 3 and 4.