Clippers' Lue: 'Kawhi's probably not gonna come back' this season
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue gave a grim update on Kawhi Leonard after the club's 111-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
"We know Kawhi's probably not gonna come back," Lue told reporters Thursday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.
Leonard has missed the entire 2021-22 campaign after tearing his ACL in the second round of last year's playoffs. However, there was some hope he'd return this season as the two-time Finals MVP is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab.
Lue also confirmed that Paul George will undergo an MRI on Feb. 24. The Clippers star was originally set to miss at least three-to-four weeks due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. His return timetable was later pushed back another few weeks.
George has missed the Clippers' last 22 games, with the team going 10-12 during that span.
"I'm not a doctor. But hope is stronger than fear. So I'm hoping that these two guys can come back. But you never know," Lue said.
Los Angeles sits eighth in the West with a 27-27 record.