Kawhi Leonard Injures Ankle, Clippers Fall to Kings 118-109

The LA Clippers faced a setback on March 9, 2024, as star player Kawhi Leonard exited the game with a sprained left ankle during a 118-109 home defeat to the Sacramento Kings. Leonard suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter while defending against DeMar DeRozan, landing awkwardly after a defensive maneuver.

With 9:27 remaining in the game, Leonard attempted to backpedal but fell to the court, visibly in pain. He quickly rose but limped to the Clippers’ bench before heading to the locker room. The team did not provide immediate updates regarding the severity of the injury or potential recovery time.

Despite the loss, Leonard had an impressive performance, scoring 31 points before his exit. This game marked his 45th consecutive outing with at least 20 points, breaking the franchise record previously held by Bob McAdoo from the 1974-75 season. Leonard is currently averaging a career-high 28.3 points over 52 games this season.

The defeat ended the Clippers’ four-game winning streak, raising concerns about their momentum moving forward. The team will look to regroup in the upcoming matches as they navigate the potential impact of Leonard’s injury on their playoff aspirations.

This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.