Kawhi Leonard participated in Sunday’s practice session while managing personal matters related to the ongoing wildfire situation.
The Los Angeles Clippers are set to face the Miami Heat in a critical home matchup amid the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard, who was absent from the Clippers’ previous game against Denver on Wednesday, had temporarily left the team to attend to his family’s evacuation from the affected areas.
The NBA announced the postponement of Saturday’s scheduled game between the Clippers and Charlotte Hornets due to the severe fires in the Pacific Palisades region. The team has since resumed their regular practice schedule, with their next game confirmed for Monday at the Intuit Dome.
As reported by Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) on January 12, 2025, the upcoming clash between the Clippers and Heat will proceed as planned. The Pacific Palisades fire, alongside the Eaton fire, Kenneth fire, and Hurst fire, has caused significant destruction across Los Angeles. Leonard and his family were among many residents forced to evacuate their homes due to the imminent fire threat. The NBA has confirmed that Monday’s game will take place at its scheduled time of 10:30 PM ET.
Kawhi Leonard starts practice for Miami’s clash
The six-time NBA All-Star joined his teammates for Sunday’s practice session, though he was unavailable for media interactions. Prior to the postponed Hornets game, Leonard’s name was notably absent from the Clippers’ injury report, suggesting his readiness to participate in Monday’s crucial home fixture.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue provided insight into Leonard’s situation following his absence from the Denver trip. “He’s been good,” Lue stated. “Tough situation for him and things he had to go through with his family and his house situation. We’re here to support him. Not only Kawhi, but everyone in the community that needed the help. We’re going to help and support. We’re really doing our best to be able to do that.”
Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) confirmed on January 13, 2025, that Leonard remains off the injury report, with James Harden and the rest of the roster also expected to be available for the Heat matchup.
Leonard’s return to NBA action on January 04 marked the end of an eight-month absence from competitive play. In his season debut against the Atlanta Hawks, he recorded 12 points, three rebounds, one steal, and one assist in 19 minutes of play. His following appearance against the Timberwolves on January 06 saw him score eight points on a 3-for-11 clip in 20 minutes.
Clippers forward Terance Mann expressed relief regarding his teammate’s situation: “I know Kawhi had left the team for that game to check in on his situation. But we didn’t really hear from him,” Mann shared. “It’s good to see that him and his family are doing good.”
The Los Angeles Clippers organization has been actively involved in supporting local relief efforts, working alongside community partners to assist those affected by the wildfires. As the team prepares for their return to competition at the Intuit Dome, the focus remains on both basketball performance and community support during this challenging period for Los Angeles residents.
With Leonard’s expected return to the lineup, the Clippers aim to maintain their competitive momentum against a strong Miami Heat team, while continuing to navigate the ongoing impacts of the wildfire situation affecting their home region.
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