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.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Lakers have downgraded LeBron James to questionable due to left knee soreness for tonight’s cross-town rivalry. On a positive note for head coach JJ Redick, James is the only player currently listed on the team’s injury report.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer participated in the recent All-Star festivities, where he suited up for Team Stripes and played a total of 21 minutes across three mini-games. James attempted to manage his workload during the break to ensure he would be fully fit for the second half of the season.

At 41 years old and in his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, LeBron remains a cornerstone for the Lakers. Through 36 games this season, he has been averaging 22.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals in nearly 33 minutes per game.

Luka Doncic returns to the lineup

Should James be unable to play tonight, the Lakers will face a significant void. However, the big news is the return of Luka Doncic after he missed the last four games due to a hamstring strain.

The Slovenian superstar also appeared in the All-Star Game for Team World, logging just five minutes in a brief appearance. His presence on the court was a welcome sight for Laker Nation, serving as a clear indicator that the guard would be ready to return immediately following the break.

Adding to the positive news for the Lakers, JJ Redick confirmed that shooting guard Austin Reaves is no longer under a minutes restriction and is fully fit following his own injury recovery. Consequently, if LeBron is sidelined tonight, Doncic and Reaves will be expected to lead the charge for a victory.

With the league celebrating its 80th season, countless icons have graced the hardwood, which makes narrowing the list to only five names an almost impossible exercise. That was the challenge presented by content creator Deric Eze, and Griffin did not hesitate when delivering his picks. He went with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the list was the absence of two figures who frequently appear in these conversations. Griffin left out Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, names that many fans automatically include when discussing greatness. Even so, the players he selected all own résumés that easily support their cases.

Griffin’s choices might be viewed as safe, but they are difficult to dispute. Jordan, for example, captured six championships, six Finals MVP awards, five regular season MVP trophies, a Defensive Player of the Year honor, and 10 scoring titles. His dominance defined an era and still serves as a benchmark for excellence.

The ones who followed Jordan on Griffin’s list

The GOAT debate often swings toward LeBron, whose longevity and versatility continue to rewrite the record books. He owns four championships, four Finals MVPs, four MVP awards, along with both a scoring and an assists title. By 2026, he has been selected to 21 All-NBA teams, six All-Defensive squads, and has earned yet another All-Star appearance.

Abdul Jabbar’s résumé remains one of the most complete the sport has ever seen, featuring six titles, two Finals MVPs, six MVP awards, and two scoring crowns. Right alongside him in Griffin’s hierarchy stands Duncan, the transformative figure of the San Antonio Spurs, who collected five championships, three Finals MVPs, and two MVPs. Duncan also piled up 15 All-Star nods, 15 All-NBA selections, and 15 appearances on All-Defensive teams.

Finally comes O’Neal, one of Duncan’s fiercest rivals and the most physically dominant force of his generation. He secured four championships, three Finals MVPs, one MVP award, and two scoring titles while earning 15 All-Star and 14 All-NBA selections. O’Neal powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to 2002, and the league has not seen another run like it since.

Harden took the time to deliver a strong message about NBA player loyalty. The 11-time All-Star and 2017-18 MVP spoke passionately on the subject when asked why he and players of his caliber have continuously moved on to different teams as frequently as they have. His answer reflected the perspective of a veteran who has seen every side of the business.

“I mean, it’s basketball and the whole quote-unquote loyalty thing, I think it’s overrated,” Harden said after the Cavs blew out the Washington Wizards to extend their winning streak to five games. “This is a business at the end of the day, and it’s a lot of money involved and a lot of decisions that have to be made.

“Like, if a player isn’t producing or if you don’t see him in the future, then the front office, some of them have to do a job and want to keep their job. So they feel like they’ve got to do what’s best to keep their job, and they trade players. Or, if a guy isn’t happy and he wants to be traded somewhere else, then it’s a problem.”

Teams Harden has played for

The Cavs are the fifth team that Harden has played for in his career and the fourth organization he has been dealt to in the last five years. After eight-plus seasons with the Houston Rockets, they sent him to the Brooklyn Nets. The transaction marked the end of an era for one franchise and the beginning of a title chase for another.

A year and a half later, the Nets traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers. After a falling out with team president Daryl Morey, who had once been his most ardent supporter during their time together in Houston, the 76ers eventually moved him again, this time to the Clippers.

Harden stays focused

Harden’s motivation behind the latest chapter of his journey in Cleveland is twofold. It is also tied to one of the few items that remains on his résumé, a goal many around the league still hope to see him accomplish given the player he has been and the level of play he has delivered for years.

“Winning a championship, or at least having a chance to, and then financially getting paid for me being available and playing at the highest level for so long,” Harden said. “So, this is a business at the end of the day. I feel like players should ultimately do what’s best for them, and the front office does what’s best for them and their owner and their organization.

“It’s two sides of a story.” Contractually, Harden and the Cavs will have to hammer out details after the NBA Finals. He has $13.3 million of his $42.3 million player option kicking in on June 29 before it fully guarantees on July 11.

Harden made his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, helping the team secure a win over the Sacramento Kings. After the game, Harden spoke with the media to share his perspective on the trade and explain how the move out of Los Angeles came together.

“Life comes at you fast!” Harden joked before elaborating. “I think it was amazing for both sides. Just being open and transparent, it was the best move for everyone. The Clippers got some young talent and picks, and for me, I get to play here with great guys and ultimately compete for a championship.

“It’s one of the best organizations I’ve been in, from Steve Ballmer to Lawrence Frank, to all of the coaching staff, Tyronn Lue, Jeff Van Gundy, and everyone who helped me become the player I am. I’m thankful for my teammates, Kawhi [Leonard] for holding it down, Big [Ivica Zubac], and all the guys. I would never take this opportunity for granted.”

Led by James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers had posted 17 wins over a 21-game stretch since December 20, the best record in the NBA over that span.

When did Harden learn about the trade?

The new Cavaliers guard said he was informed that trade discussions had started about a week before the NBA trade deadline, meaning there was a plan in place but no final agreement yet.

“Maybe about a week before?” Harden explained. “I was told the trade was a possibility. L. Frank and I talked about my contract not being guaranteed. I understood that. If the team isn’t good enough, decisions have to be made. The opportunity came up, and I had to make the decision that was best for my family. I think both sides made the right decision. Credit to those guys. Much love to them. For the Cavs, I’m excited to be here and look forward to a bright future.”

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

However, the transition comes with unexpected news. Charania reports that Paul will not be required to report to the Raptors, meaning he won’t need to physically integrate with the team’s roster.

“The Raptors will not require Chris Paul to report to the team and could still entertain trade discussions involving him in the coming days. With this move, Toronto is now out of the luxury tax. Meanwhile, Brooklyn picks up an asset and receives cash to offset Agbaji’s salary. The Clippers clear a roster spot and save $7 million in tax liabilities,” reported Charania about the trade.

Given this scenario, it seems unlikely that Paul will don a Raptors jersey or perhaps even play his final season as anticipated. However, the next few hours could prove pivotal for both the veteran player and his new team, as trade discussions remain ongoing.

Nets’ financial gains from the deal

With Paul as the centerpiece of this multi-faceted deal, the Brooklyn Nets play a significant role in negotiations. NBA insider Chris Haynes reports that the Nets will receive a substantial financial windfall from this transaction.

“The Brooklyn Nets are set to receive $3.5 million from the Los Angeles Clippers in the three-team trade involving Chris Paul and the Toronto Raptors. There is an expectation that CP3 will be waived,” Haynes shared on his X account.

Under these circumstances, fans are left speculating about Paul’s future and how he might conclude his illustrious NBA career. Once anticipated to make a significant impact on the court, Paul now finds himself as a trade asset, possibly outside the Raptors’ plans.

NBA Insider Brett Siegel and Clutch Points‘ Tomer Azarly have reported that the Clippers have initiated trade discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers concerning James Harden. This unexpected development unfolded just days before the trade deadline.

Azarly and Siegel revealed, “The LA Clippers are in advanced trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, potentially trading James Harden for guard Darius Garland.” Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix was the first to break news on this potential negotiation between the two teams.

Despite boasting one of the league’s most talented lineups, the Clippers have underperformed this season, posting a disappointing 23-26 record. Given the team’s struggle, the fanbase had high expectations for better results, with Harden’s performance being a particular point of contention.

How are Harden negotiations progressing?

The sudden trade discussions around Harden have surprised the NBA realm due to his significance with the Clippers since his arrival in 2022. However, his recent performance coupled with the team’s challenges may be driving the consideration for a trade before the deadline.

The report suggests that talks with the Cavaliers are progressing, although both teams are negotiating additional compensatory terms. Azarly and Siegel noted, “The Cavs have indicated a desire for additional draft compensation for Garland. League sources confirmed that the Clippers declined Cleveland’s request for a future draft pick.“

Other teams reportedly interested in Harden

In addition to the Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves are also reportedly in conversations with the Clippers regarding Harden. They are actively seeking a strong complement to Anthony Edwards, the team’s cornerstone in their quest for a championship run this season.

With only a few days remaining to determine Harden’s future, there is still a possibility of him remaining in a Clippers uniform for the rest of the season. However, the next 48 hours will be crucial in deciding the fate of the 36-year-old NBA star.