Kawhi comes off bench for Clippers in regular-season return
Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty
Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard came off the bench in Thursday's 103-97 win against the Los Angeles Lakers in his first regular-season game in over a year.
He entered the contest for the first time at the 6:25 mark of the second quarter.
Leonard, who's coming off an ACL tear, began the game as a reserve in order to help manage his playing time and keep him available for key minutes down the stretch, head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters, including Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Trudell.
Lue added that it was the two-time Finals MVP's idea to make the change, and it was the way Leonard "felt the best."
With Leonard coming off the bench, the Clippers started Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris, and Ivica Zubac.