Report: Kawhi ahead of ACL recovery timeline, could return this season

The Los Angeles Clippers may receive a significant boost toward the end of the season.

Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule in his recovery from ACL surgery and could return to the court before the end of the campaign, sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

The 30-year-old has reportedly increased his workload during his rehab recently.

Leonard tore the ACL in his right knee against the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of the second round of the playoffs last season. He underwent surgery in July and has not featured since.

Los Angeles is 19-19 heading into Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns and on course for a spot in the play-in tournament as the seventh seed. However, several Clippers players believe the squad can match up against any side in the postseason when fully healthy and aren't focused on their playoff seeding, according to Haynes.

Despite losing Leonard in the playoffs last season, the Clippers won Game 5 and 6 against the Jazz to progress past the second round for the first time in franchise history. The Suns ultimately eliminated the Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals.