Report: Kawhi Leonard Tore Meniscus in Suns Series

The Phoenix Suns advanced past the Los Angeles Clippers in a 136-130 Game 5 win to put the first round of the NBA postseason in the books, and there's several storylines to track.

The Suns were led by their dynamic duo in Kevin Durant/Devin Booker, playing extra minutes and ultimately being the difference in each game during their 4-1 series win over Los Angeles.

Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook found his old MVP form and proved he could still play at a high level. Perhaps a few Los Angeles role players made some money for themselves in the summer, too.

Yet one of the largest takeaways from this series will be Kawhi Leonard, who led the way for Los Angeles to split the opening two games 1-1 with the Suns before heading back to LA for Games 3 and 4. There was hope that the Clippers could potentially upset Phoenix after their opening stint at the Footprint Center, yet that was cast aside when Leonard was ruled out with a right knee injury prior to Game 3.

Leonard never returned, and the Clippers lost four consecutive games after taking a 1-0 series lead.

NBA insider Shams Charania is now reporting that Leonard tore his meniscus in the series.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Leonard averaged 35 points in first two games of this postseason vs. Suns before the meniscus injury was revealed and he was shut down by medical staff.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2023

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski initially said he suffered a right knee sprain in Game 1 before trying to play through the pain in Game 2. He tallied back-to-back 30+ point performances in Phoenix before being shut down by LA's medical staff.

It's an unfortunate injury for Leonard, who has played just 60 or more games once in the last five seasons. He remains one of the most talented players in the game despite his track record of injuries and load management - something Clippers coach Tyronn Lue deflected ahead of their Game 5 loss.

"He's definitely hurt. Like this is not load management where he's taking time off. He's shown in his past that he's played through injuries in the playoffs. If it's something that he can't play through, then it has to be pretty serious," Lue said.

"We're not talking about he's sitting out because of load management or he's tired or nothing like that. It's an actual thing. What the outside is saying, who cares."

The Suns move on to play the Denver Nuggets in the second round, with Game 1 coming on Saturday, April 29.