Happy New Year! Kawhi Leonard is back to make his season debut for the Clippers. He is planning to return against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The Clippers could certainly use his help moving forward this season. This will be the first time Leonard sees the floor in game action since last April. Now, Leonard returns to a Clippers team that has been off to a surprising start to the season and looks to bolster the momentum for LA.
Kawhi Leonard is Back to Bolster the Clippers’ Momentum
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard plans to make his season debut Saturday versus the Atlanta Hawks at Intuit Dome, sources tell ESPN. Clippers upgraded Leonard to questionable tonight. pic.twitter.com/RbFHSyL8w1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2025
Leonard is returning to a situation where the Clippers are 19-15 on the year and in the playoff hunt. In an exciting Western Conference where the standings should go down to the wire, Leonard returns at a point where LA may need him most. The Clippers have shown their inconsistencies as they near the halfway point of the season. From nail-biting results against top contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy or blowouts against teams not in the playoff hunt, LA has had issues with consistency. That has been the main topic throughout the season, especially without Leonard. The defense has greatly improved, but the offense will soon need to show that it can hang with the best of the West.
As of late, the Clippers’ offense has been having their difficulties, combining for only 184 points over their last two outings. LA currently ranks 24th in the league in scoring at 108.5 points a game, almost precisely what they have averaged since the beginning of December. There have been some standouts that have brought the team to where they are now. The core three of James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac have contributed very well to the Clippers this season. With these pieces complementing one another, Leonard can be plugged into this rotation without missing a beat.
What to Expect for the Clippers in January
Head coach Tyronn Lue has been very excited to see the recent progression Leonard has made to become available. The team has been careful with their star player when it comes to the timeline of when to bring Leonard back into the fold. Clippers fans should be aware that it may take time for Leonard to get into a groove and look like the Kawhi that everyone knows. That is being one of the best players in the league. It will be crucial for the Clippers to keep their star player 100 percent healthy for the playoffs in April.
This January, the Clippers will face some championship contenders as they welcome Leonard back into the fold. Whether hosting some of the better teams in the East with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks or traveling to Denver to face Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, there are some challenging matchups. The Clippers will also host their crosstown rivals in the Los Angeles Lakers in their first matchup against each other at the Intuit Dome. Leonard has a chance to shift the momentum for the Clippers through his presence and play. This month is an exciting time for LA to cement themselves in the Western Conference and prove that they belong.
