Kawhi Leonard returns for Clippers' Game 2 tilt vs. Mavs - ESPN
play
Why Stephen A. was impressed by the Clippers in G1 win over Mavs (1:49)
Stephen A. Smith explains why he was impressed with what he saw from the Clippers in their Game 1 win over the Mavericks. (1:49)
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff WriterApr 23, 2024, 08:24 PM ET
Close
Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University. Follow him on Twitter » Ohm's chat archive »LOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard returned for Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, scoring 15 points in a 96-93 loss.
Leonard had not played since March 31, missing the final eight games of the regular season and Sunday's Game 1 win with inflammation in his surgically repaired knee.
His return Tuesday was announced by coach Ty Lue about two hours before tipoff. Leonard played 35 minutes in the loss, adding 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists and a block as the Clippers watched the Mavericks even the best-of-seven series at 1.
Game 3 is Friday in Dallas.
Leonard had participated in practices, including Monday's, leading into Game 2. Asked if Leonard had gone through contact before returning, Lue said his star checked off all the boxes for a safe return but added that the contact would come in Game 2.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank had described Leonard's inflammation as "unpredictable" and "stubborn" last week.
Leonard entered Game 2 averaging 32.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the playoffs against Dallas. He played in 68 games this season, his most since the 2016-17 season with the Spurs.
