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The Los Angeles Clippers are optimistic that star forward Kawhi Leonard will return to action on Saturday, January 4, against the Atlanta Hawks, as the team works to get him back on the court after missing the entire 2024/25 season so far due to a persistent knee issue, reports Law Murray of The Athletic.

Leonard’s absence has been a significant blow to the Clippers, but his anticipated return is expected to bolster the team’s chances in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Leonard has been battling ongoing issues with his right knee since the end of last season.

The inflammation that plagued him at the tail end of the 2023 campaign resurfaced during the offseason, and the discomfort was severe enough to prevent him from participating in the U.S. Olympic team’s preparations for the Paris Games.

This led to Leonard opting out of international competition, prioritizing his recovery and long-term health over representing his country.

During the offseason, Leonard underwent a medical procedure to address the chronic knee problem, and his rehabilitation process has been ongoing throughout the fall.

The Clippers’ medical staff has been cautious, ensuring that Leonard is fully recovered and prepared for the rigors of NBA competition.

This careful approach has delayed his return, but it is clear that the team’s decision to be patient with Leonard’s recovery was made with his long-term health in mind.

As of now, Leonard will not be traveling with the Clippers on their upcoming three-game road trip, which starts on Monday in New Orleans and concludes next Thursday in Oklahoma City.

This is a clear indication that the team is prioritizing his full recovery, understanding the importance of giving him the time he needs to get back to full strength before he takes the court for the Clippers.

Despite not being part of the team’s road trip, Leonard has made notable progress in his recovery, participating in a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Thursday.

In addition to this, the Clippers have planned for him to practice with their G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers, while the NBA squad is on the road. This will allow him to continue ramping up his conditioning and basketball-specific skills without the pressures of an NBA game.

The January 4 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks will mark the Clippers’ first game back at home following their road trip, and it has become the target date for Leonard’s season debut.

Nevertheless, as Murray reports, there are still several hurdles for Leonard to clear in the next week, as he works to ensure that he is physically ready to take on the intensity of an NBA game.

If all goes according to plan and Leonard checks off the necessary boxes, the expectation is that he will be ready to suit up and play in front of the Clippers’ home crowd.

The Clippers have been remarkably resilient despite Leonard’s absence and the offseason loss of fellow star Paul George, who departed in free agency. Currently holding a 17-13 record, the Clippers sit in the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

However, they are in close contention with the No. 6 Lakers (also 17-13) and the No. 5 Nuggets (16-12), with only tiebreakers and slim margin differences separating the teams.

The forward’s return would provide a significant boost to the Clippers’ efforts to improve their standing and remain in the hunt for playoff positioning.

Leonard is one of the most dominant players in the league when healthy, and his presence on the court will make the Clippers a far more dangerous team in the postseason race.

Throughout his career, Leonard has been known for his ability to dominate at both ends of the floor. While injuries have unfortunately limited his availability since signing with the Clippers in 2019, Leonard’s on-court production remains elite.

He has missed 191 of 420 regular-season games and 15 of 43 postseason games, which is a significant number, but when he’s on the floor, Leonard is a two-way force who can change the course of a game.

In the 2023 season, Leonard played 68 games and continued to showcase his All-Star level of play.

He averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, all while shooting an impressive .525 from the field, .417 from three-point range, and .885 from the free-throw line.

His stellar performance earned him a place on the All-NBA Second Team, underscoring his continued elite status in the league despite his injury woes.

Leonard’s return to the lineup will not only help elevate the Clippers’ offensive firepower but also shore up their defense, where Leonard is widely regarded as one of the top perimeter defenders in the league.

His versatility, ability to take over games in clutch moments, and leadership on both ends of the floor make him an invaluable asset to the Clippers.

If Leonard can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, his presence will likely make the Clippers one of the most formidable teams in the Western Conference.

The team has already shown that they can remain competitive without him, but with Leonard back in the fold, they will become an even stronger contender for a deep playoff run.