According to league insider Tim Kawakami, a deal had been in place to send Leonard to the Warriors before it collapsed at the last moment. “Multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February, apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to, before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks,” Kawakami reported.

“Leonard’s name continued to be connected to possible Warriors moves, either in ongoing trade discussions or, as many around the league speculated, if his remaining contract with the Clippers was voided after the investigation into salary cap circumvention.”

Is Kawhi worth it?

There was once again a debate surrounding the Warriors. There was no doubt that Leonard was an elite player, one of the best in the NBA when healthy. However, he was approaching 35-years-old, and the Warriors also needed to consider building toward a younger core while maximizing their remaining window with Curry.

At 34 years old, he fit their timeline in the short term, and his two-way game complemented Curry, who was known as an offensive first perimeter shooter. While his availability had been inconsistent, his production remained strong, averaging 28.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per NBA game on 50.3 percent shooting from the field and 38.0 percent from three.

The final push with Curry

The Warriors remained committed to this approach because Curry continued to perform at a high level despite his injury, and his impact remained undeniable. In 39 games that season, the two-time MVP averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from three.

While he had missed the previous 25 games, he was expected to return healthy the following season, increasing pressure on the front office to build a competitive roster. With Butler still recovering from an ACL injury, the Warriors could not afford to wait, and their limited window to contend made finding a reliable co-star essential.

The star forward is currently featured on the official NBA injury report as questionable due to a left ankle sprain, leaving his status in doubt for the showdown against his former team. Joining Leonard on the report are Jordan Milles, who is also questionable, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Bradley Beal have both been ruled out for the contest.

Leonard entered the Clippers’ previous game against the Bucks with the same designation but ultimately played and delivered a dominant performance. The former Spurs standout led Los Angeles to a commanding 129-96 victory over Milwaukee, recording a game-high 28 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

Is there a chance for Leonard to play tonight?

Given his questionable status, there is a legitimate possibility that Leonard could sit out tonight’s matchup against the Raptors. His left ankle injury has become a recurring issue, landing him on the injury report frequently over the last several weeks.

Clippers want to avoid Play-In Tournament

The Clippers‘ path to avoiding the Play-In Tournament is becoming a narrow one, and having Kawhi Leonard on the floor is essential to their survival. As the undisputed leader of the team, Leonard has been productive through 56 games this season, averaging a team-high 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

However, the team finds itself in a delicated situation. Entering tonight’s matchup against Toronto, the Clippers sit in 8th place at .500, needing a strong finish in their final ten games to secure a guaranteed playoff spot.

The climb is made more difficult by the teams directly ahead of them. The Phoenix Suns hold the 7th seed at 40-32, while the Houston Rockets occupy the coveted 6th seed at 43-28. For the Clippers to move up, they don’t just need to maintain a near-perfect record down the stretch; they also need those teams to stumble significantly in their final games.

Leonard is available to play in tonight’s match, putting the Clippers’ star forward in focus as the team looks to end a four-game losing streak and remain in the Play-In race. The Clippers enter the matchup at 34 36, ninth in the Western Conference, trying to regain momentum, while Dallas comes in at 23 47, 13th in the West, looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Clippers’ injury report makes Leonard’s status especially important. Injuries have ruled out Bradley Beal, while Bennedict Mathurin and Yanick Konan Niederhauser remain sidelined. Los Angeles cannot afford to lose another key piece as they fight to stay in the NBA Play-In picture.

The importance of Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers enter the matchup at 34-36, ninth in the Western Conference, trying to regain momentum, while Dallas comes in at 23-47, 13th in the West, looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They turned their season around earlier in the month, climbing the standings and moving above .500. They now find themselves on a four-game losing streak, with Kawhi Leonard missing two of the last three games due to an ankle injury.

Kawhi Leonard has remained elite this season. Through 54 games, he is averaging 28.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three, and 89.8 percent from the free throw line.

In the last game he played, despite being visibly uncomfortable, Leonard led Los Angeles against the New Orleans Pelicans, and even though he finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 29 minutes, the Clippers suffered their third consecutive loss.

Mavericks are not in optimal form

For the Clippers, there is also some positive news, as Dallas is not arriving in the best condition. The Mavericks are dealing with key absences; Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are out, along with Brandon Williams, but they still have Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson, who can make an impact.

Leonard was ruled out of Monday night’s game against the Spurs, which marked his 15th missed game of the season. That means Leonard can miss only two more games before he becomes ineligible for end of season NBA awards.

As it stands, Kawhi Leonard appears poised to finish on an All-NBA Team and also on an All-Defensive Team. Missing two more games, however, would place him on the list of stars who are already ineligible to make those teams.

What happened to Kawhi?

Leonard has missed 14 games this season, 10 of them in November due to a right ankle sprain. Named an NBA All Star for the seventh time in his career, Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in 53 appearances this season.

Last week, Kawhi Leonard explained what allowed him to produce one of the best seasons of his 14-year NBA career. “The man above, and me just being able to play games,” the Clippers star told ClutchPoints. “I had a good offseason, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic, and believing. Just trying to get better in the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle, or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes.”

Others who are not eligible

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are among the players who are not eligible to win end of NBA season awards, while several others are close to reaching that limit.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets cannot miss any more games, or he will also become ineligible. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers can each miss only five more games before losing eligibility as well. Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has played in 52 of the Spurs’ 67 games so far, leaving him with just two games remaining before reaching the limit.

Leonard is out tonight due to injury, as the Clippers announced that he is dealing with left ankle soreness. Leonard most recently played on Feb. 22 against the Orlando Magic, which was the last game the Clippers played, logging 33 minutes while recording 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Leonard was unable to shed his questionable tag for this contest and remains day to day. The Clippers begin a back-to-back set Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, making roster management a key factor, while Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller are expected to see expanded roles Thursday.

Leonard’s numbers this season

Without any doubt, Leonard has been the Clippers’ top performer this season, consistently proving that when he stays healthy, he remains one of the league’s elite players, delivering performances reminiscent of his prime years.

For the NBA season, Leonard is averaging 28.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 38.1% from three-point range and 90.5% from the free-throw line, numbers that reflect his continued impact and competitive drive.

How the Timberwolves arrive

Anthony Edwards has been on an outstanding run since winning the All-Star Game MVP, averaging 34 points across his last three contests, including a 34-point performance in Tuesday’s 124 to 121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, as the Clippers look to counter with their own star presence.

The Timberwolves enter the matchup with the NBA’s third-ranked scoring offense at 119.6 points per game, led by Edwards at 29.6 points per contest. On Feb. 8, a healthy Leonard powered the Clippers to a 115-96 victory over the Timberwolves with a dominant 41-point performance.

With those transactions finalized, the Clippers now move forward with Kawhi Leonard as the unquestioned centerpiece of the franchise. The front office’s decisions suggest a retooling phase built around Leonard’s two-way impact, while adding younger talent, draft capital, and roster flexibility for the future.

The updated Clippers roster now includes Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Kobe Sanders, Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanović, Darius Garland, Brook Lopez, Cam Christie, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, TyTy Washington, John Collins, Jordan Miller, Benedict Mathurin, Nicolas Batum, and Isaiah Jackson.

According to Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers ultimately received additional draft compensation from the Indiana Pacers. Los Angeles acquired a 2026 first-round pick, protected 1–4 and 10–30, along with an unprotected 2029 first-round pick from Indiana. The return strengthens the Clippers’ long-term outlook as they reshape the roster around Kawhi Leonard.

Clippers projected lineup

Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding these moves, the Clippers still appear to have the tools to compete. The front office clearly opted for a change in direction, adding younger pieces and fresh energy that could better complement Leonard and balance the roster moving forward.

Projected Clippers lineup:

PG – Darius Garland

SG – Benedict Mathurin

SF – Kawhi Leonard

PF – John Collins

C – Brook Lopez

Pacers make subtle but purposeful moves

After a disappointing season, the Pacers chose to pivot toward a retooling phase following the injury to star Tyrese Haliburton. Indiana moved on from key but replaceable contributors, including Myles Turner and later Benedict Mathurin, in an effort to secure assets and stabilize its future.

With draft picks in hand and a healthy core projected for the next NBA season, Indiana can envision a competitive path forward. On paper, the Pacers have the depth and talent to position themselves as contenders once again.

Projected Pacers lineup:

PG – Tyrese Haliburton

SG – Andrew Nemnhard

SF – Aaron Nesmith

PF – Pascal Siakam

C – Ivica Zubac

The Clippers have lost three straight games, with their most recent defeat coming against the Phoenix Suns. They’ve also been without Leonard, who is dealing with an ankle sprain. When asked about his status, according to AP News, head coach Ty Lue confirmed that the star forward will miss the next few games — a worrying sign for a team already struggling to find its rhythm.

It’s especially concerning given Leonard’s long history of injuries. Since joining the Clippers, he has missed significant time nearly every season, and the team has been cautious with his workload in hopes of keeping him healthy for the playoffs. Still, this latest setback raises questions about whether that strategy is sustainable.

The Clippers must tread carefully. They have one of the oldest rosters in the league, comparable to the Golden State Warriors, with veterans like James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac leading the lineup. Managing minutes and staying healthy will be critical if they hope to stay competitive in the Western Conference.

What else is affecting the Clippers?

In addition to Leonard’s absence, other players have faced physical setbacks. Bradley Beal, for instance, has also missed time this season with an injury. His offensive struggles have been noticeable, and even his teammates have reportedly urged him to regain his rhythm. “Everybody’s been on my a**,” Beal admitted to reporters.

The Clippers’ offense has looked stagnant at times, and their defense has lacked consistency — two issues that Leonard’s presence usually helps balance. Without him, the team has struggled to generate the same intensity and cohesion on both ends of the floor.

Still, there have been bright spots. James Harden has shown flashes of playmaking brilliance, while Zubac continues to anchor the paint effectively. Leonard had been productive before his injury, but the Clippers will need him back on the floor soon if they want to end their current skid and climb back into NBA playoff contention.

Staying healthy remains the key for Los Angeles. With a veteran core and limited depth, avoiding further injuries could make the difference between a turnaround and another frustrating season.

The Warriors have enjoyed a strong preseason so far, holding a 3–1 record. Curry has appeared in just two games, both against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the first, he posted 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 16 minutes of action. He then shined in the second matchup, leading the Warriors to a 118–111 victory.

Head coach Steve Kerr increased Curry’s workload in that game, keeping the four-time NBA champion on the floor for 27 minutes. The two-time MVP responded with 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists in an impressive performance.

On the Clippers’ side, the Los Angeles franchise has played only two preseason games so far, splitting results with one win and one loss. Star forward Kawhi Leonard featured in both contests, recording 17 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes during a loss to the Denver Nuggets, and following that up with 15 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 27 minutes in a win over the Sacramento Kings.

Will Curry and Leonard play tonight?

Warriors head coach said earlier in the preseason that he planned to gradually ramp up Curry’s minutes heading into opening night. After playing 16 and then 27 minutes in his two previous outings, Curry is expected to start and see action tonight against the Clippers in the team’s preseason finale.

One player who will not suit up is Jimmy Butler, who’s dealing with a minor ankle injury sustained during practice. Kerr confirmed Butler will sit out but should be ready for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

As for the Clippers, The Athletic’s Law Murray reported that head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed both Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will rest tonight, focusing instead on being fully ready for their season opener against the Utah Jazz.

For the Clippers, this matchup carries extra motivation. It’s their first preseason game and it happens to be against the same opponent that eliminated them from last season’s NBA playoffs. That series turned out to be a thriller, showcasing both teams at a high level before Denver ultimately advanced with a 4-3 series win.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets have already played two preseason games, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opener before bouncing back with a win over the Toronto Raptors.

The Nuggets appear to be near full strength heading into Sunday’s matchup, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, while the Clippers might rest a few key players to manage workloads early in the preseason.

Are Kawhi Leonard and James Harden playing for Clippers vs Nuggets?

The Clippers have a couple of injury concerns heading into Sunday, and it looks like fans may have to wait a bit longer to see one of their new All-Stars make his preseason debut. Beyond those injuries, though, supporters can still expect to see big names like Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Chris Paul get some time on the floor against Denver’s stars. Leonard, Harden, and Ivica Zubac all played at least 16 minutes in their last appearance against the Lions.

Bradley Beal remains the most notable name on the Clippers’ injury report, as the three-time All-Star will miss his second straight game. Bogdan Bogdanovic is also sidelined after leaving the first preseason matchup against the Lions with back soreness and not returning.

Is Nikola Jokic playing for Nuggets vs Clippers?

The Nuggets have no major injuries heading into Sunday night’s contest, giving head coach David Adelman the option to rotate the full roster. That likely means Nikola Jokic will see at least some minutes in the game. There’s more good news for Denver as well—after missing the previous preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors, Aaron Gordon practiced Friday and has been cleared to play against the Clippers.

The NBA has officially opened an investigation into the situation, first reported by sports journalist Pablo Torre, but sources indicate a resolution could take months to materialize. The process is expected to extend well beyond the typical offseason timeline.

According to Spotrac, “The NBA does not expect to have a resolution on the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention investigation until after the All-Star Game.” This year, the All-Star Game is set to take place at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers, adding an ironic twist to the timeline.

Fans have been quick to recall past cases, though few match the scope of Leonard’s situation. The Minnesota Timberwolves attempted to circumvent the salary cap with Joe Smith in the late 1990s, a scheme that ultimately led to fines, forfeited draft picks, and league suspensions.

More details on the Kawhi case

The saga goes far beyond the salary cap concerns. Reporting from ESPN, including a piece by Baxter Holmes, outlined the extraordinary demands Leonard’s uncle allegedly made during his 2019 free agency, when Leonard ultimately signed with the Clippers. Requests reportedly included a mansion, private jet access, and partial ownership of the franchise, raising questions about league compliance.

Things go south for the Clippers

Adding to the Clippers’ frustrations, Leonard has yet to play a single game beyond the second round for the franchise. When Los Angeles reached the Western Conference Finals, Leonard was sidelined by injury, a recurring theme that has repeatedly derailed the team’s postseason ambitions.

All eyes now turn to the NBA’s ruling, which could have major implications for both Leonard and the Clippers. Will the player face a suspension? Will the franchise lose draft picks or face restrictions on future moves? While fans debate the potential outcomes, it seems a final decision is still some time away.

Leonard and the Clippers engaged in a $28 million deal that has now resulted in a tangled web of complications. As the sports community awaits further details, a report from The Athletic has shed light on potential penalties that could be levied against both the team and Leonard.

The report outlines the possible consequences Leonard might face, including:

• The voiding of his contract and a prohibition on re-signing with the Clippers.
• A requirement to return money received from Aspiration.
• A fine of up to $350,000.

In addition to what Leonard may face, Clippers’ management and owner could also encounter substantial penalties:

• The Clippers could be fined up to $7.5 million.
• The team might forfeit future draft picks.
• Ballmer, along with other team personnel, could face a suspension of up to a year and individual fines reaching $1 million.

Clippers reportedly contemplating trade

As the intricacies of this scandal emerge, it could potentially become one of the most significant in recent NBA history. Some inside the Clippers organization are reportedly pushing to move on from Leonard, despite previous efforts to construct a team around the talented forward.

According to a former staffer, the organization’s priorities have shifted. “They’re done building around [Kawhi],” the staffer mentioned in a report by ESPN’s NBA Senior Writer Baxter Holmes. “They know that, and he knows that.”

Leonard’s reported conditions to join the Lakers in 2019

In the midst of the current situation surrounding Leonard, new details have emerged that shed light on past negotiations, according to a report by Baxter. One significant development relates to Leonard’s 2019 discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers about potentially joining the team. Baxter revealed that Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, played a pivotal role during these talks, reportedly demanding considerable concessions from the Lakers organization.

“Acquiring Paul George was among several requests made by Leonard and his camp, led by Robertson, in negotiations with the Clippers leading up to July 5,” a source with direct knowledge stated to Baxter. “These demands included part ownership of the team, access to a private plane, a house, and guaranteed off-court endorsement money.”