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LA Clippers Make Kawhi Leonard Decision vs Detroit Pistons

The LA Clippers won't have Kawhi Leonard against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Justin Grasso|
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at PHX Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers

The Detroit Pistons won’t be facing Kawhi Leonard this season as the Los Angeles Clippers do not plan to have the star forward on the floor on Wednesday night in LA.

According to the official NBA injury report, Leonard has been ruled out due to right knee injury management. It marks his first absence since late February.

Leonard’s absence on Wednesday doesn’t come as a shock. As the Clippers entered their first matchup of a back-to-back set, LA head coach Ty Lue revealed that Leonard was still not cleared to play full sets of a back-to-back this year. That suggested Leonard would not play on Wednesday regardless of Tuesday’s outcome.

Against the Phoenix Suns, Leonard checked in for 36 minutes. He shot 9-20 from the field and made just one of his six three-pointers. The veteran scored 21 points and contributed to four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.

Kawhi Leonar
Feb 2, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) and LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) go for the rebound in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Clippers came up short against the Suns with a two-point loss. It marked the third-straight loss for the Clippers as they head into their matchup against the Pistons.

The Pistons hosted the Clippers back on February 24. At the time, Leonard was set to miss his third outing in four games. Without Leonard, the Clippers lost by nine points to Detroit.

Wednesday’s game will be an opportunity for the Pistons to improve to three wins in a row. They are 9-1 over their last 10 games and have won 18 games on the road this season.

The Pistons and the Clippers are slated for a 10:30 PM ET tip.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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