PHOENIX — LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out of Sunday's Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns due to a right knee sprain, and his position for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals remains uncertain.
Leonard did not go to Phoenix with the team on Saturday. Clippers coach Tyrone Lew said he is not yet sure of Leonard's status for Game 2, and will have to prepare as if Game Two isn't available until Leonard Starr returns.
"I'm not sure," said Lew when asked if Leonard could join the team at some point on this trip. "I know [he's out for Game 1] for sure. Right now he's back home for treatment. We're not sure about Game 2 yet."
Leonard has missed the last two games since he injured his knee in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Utah Jazz. Leonard failed to finish the last four plus minutes of that game.
Terrence Mann started in Leonard's place and scored 39 points in Game 6 to knock out Utah.
"Until he comes back, we can't, you know, if he's coming back, what's the game," Lew said. "We have to dress like he's not playing. You know, just go from there."