The 2025-26 NBA season represents a critical juncture for Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers as the star forward continues to manage a persistent right knee injury that has significantly impacted his availability in recent years. Leonard, one of the league’s most accomplished two-way players with six All-Star nods, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and two NBA Finals MVPs, has battled knee inflammation and past injuries that have cast uncertainty over his 2025-26 outlook.
Leonard’s knee issues trace back to a torn ACL in the 2021 postseason, which sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 season. Since then, he has struggled with persistent inflammation and a torn meniscus in the same right knee, causing him to miss large stretches of games. In the 2023-24 season, he played 68 games the most since 2017 but missed the last eight regular-season games and part of the playoffs due to right knee inflammation. This inflammation has continued into the current 2024-25 timeline, forcing the Clippers to list him out indefinitely at times. The star was even ruled out of the U.S. Olympic team before the Paris Games because of the knee concerns.
As of early 2025, Leonard’s return was marked by cautious optimism. He rejoined the Clippers in January 2025 after a long layoff and contributed in limited minutes under a strict minute restriction to ease him back on the court, with coach Tyronn Lue emphasizing the need for careful management to avoid setbacks: “This is like his preseason and training camp because he hasn’t had that,” Lue said. “We’re going to make sure we bring him back slowly.” Leonard showed flashes of his former dominance, averaging 23.7 points on 52.5 percent shooting, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in the 2023-24 season, signaling his importance to the Clippers’ championship aspirations.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Leonard’s health remains a focal concern. Reports indicate he will miss the entire preseason as he continues rehabbing the knee, with no definitive timetable for full clearance. The Clippers maintain a cautious approach, prioritizing long-term recovery over rush returns, with Lue stating, “Keep rehabbing. Keep getting better. Keep checking the boxes.” The organization is mindful of Leonard’s history of knee woes and the toll sustained over his career, during which he has missed nearly 300 regular-season games due to various injuries, mostly knee-related.
His absence has forced the Clippers to adapt their style, relying more heavily on other scorers like James Harden and Norman Powell. Still, Leonard’s presence is seen as essential for the Clippers’ competitiveness in a deeply contested Western Conference. His unique combination of perimeter scoring, elite defense, and clutch performance is hard to replace. Clippers president Lawrence Frank remarked, “Kawhi is the cornerstone of this roster when healthy. Our job is to support his comeback and make sure he’s ready when it counts.”
Statistically, Leonard’s ability to impact both ends of the floor remains elite when on the court, but with age and injury history, managing his minutes and role will likely be key. The 2025-26 season will likely see him on a minutes restriction, transitioning to more situational uses focused on high-leverage moments.
Kawhi Leonard’s 2025-26 season is poised to be a delicate balance of recovery, smart load management, and maximizing his elite skill set while protecting his long-term health. With no set return date for the early season and ongoing rehabilitation, expectations are tempered, but optimistic that Leonard can provide a significant boost once fully fit. His role will likely be carefully tailored to preserve his longevity and impact, making his health updates one of the most closely watched storylines of the upcoming NBA campaign.
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