The wheels haven’t come off, but fissures have begun to appear in the health of the two of the players driving the Clippers this season.
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are experiencing soreness and spasms that could affect their availability over the next few games. Leonard left Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with thoracic spasms and Harden was treated by a Clippers trainer long after the game.
Coach Tyronn Lue said after the game that he wasn’t sure whether Leonard would accompany the team on its two-game trip to play the Chicago Bulls on Thursday and New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The spasms, according to the Clippers, made it difficult for Leonard to sit.
“I hope so,” Lue said, about whether Leonard would make the trip.
Harden said he would have to see how his shoulder felt overnight before determining whether he would make the trip.
Leonard and Harden have been counted on heavily this season and are vital to the Clippers (41-23) playoff hopes. Leonard, who played just 52 games the previous two seasons, has already played in 58 this season.
He tried to play in his 59th on Tuesday.
But after going through the morning shootaround and pregame warm-ups, his back didn’t loosen up and he left the arena during the second quarter. He played 12 minutes, posting six points, two rebounds and two assists before heading out.
“That’s him,” Paul George said. “I mean if he can go, whatever the case that the narrative people may think being around him, he’s going to try to push through what he can, and tonight was a sign of it.”
How does an extended absence by Leonard affect the Clippers with a month left of the regular season? He currently leads the team in scoring at 23.7 points a game, is second in rebounding (6.2) third in assists (3.7) and first in steals (1.7).
His fingerprints are all over the Clippers rise in the Western Conference and their 41-23 record.
“(Without him we miss) another scorer, another playmaker,…
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