Kawhi Calls Clippers Season 'Over'
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard delivered a sobering assessment, declaring the Clippers' chances "over" this season after leaving with an ankle issue during the Lakers-Clippers game. The statement signals internal struggles for a franchise with high preseason expectations.
- Before exiting the game against the Lakers on February 21, 2026, with what was described as left ankle soreness, Kawhi Leonard had scored 31 points in 31 minutes. - Head coach Ty Lue stated that Leonard was already dealing with ankle soreness before the game and that it "got stiff on him," leading to his early departure with about four and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter. - This isn't Leonard's first ankle issue this season; he previously missed ten games in November with a right ankle sprain and later twisted the same ankle in January. - The Clippers entered the All-Star break with a 26-28 record, positioned as the 10th seed in the Western Conference. - The team's performance has been volatile, overcoming a disastrous 6-21 start to the season before hitting their current rough patch. - High preseason expectations were fueled by the offseason additions of players like John Collins and Brook Lopez, with the team holding title aspirations. - Earlier in February, even after the team showed signs of a turnaround, Leonard had already expressed doubts, stating, "Obviously right now with the roster we're not contenders." - The team's roster underwent significant changes at the trade deadline with the departure of James Harden and Ivica Zubac, which reportedly shifted the energy within the team.
