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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff Writer
DALLAS — The LA Clippers will try to keep their season alive without Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard was officially ruled out for Game 6 in Dallas on Friday. The Clippers face elimination trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Unlike in the first-round series between both teams in 2021 when Leonard scored 45 points to help the Clippers stave off elimination in Game 6 in Dallas, LA will not have its franchise player to try to force a Game 7 this time.
The All-Star will miss his third straight game since playing limited minutes in Game 3 because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Guard Terance Mann, a critical role player for the Clippers, was also added to the injury report as questionable with a lower right leg contusion.
In Game 5 on Wednesday, the Clippers suffered their worst postseason loss in franchise history, 123-93, without Leonard.
“We’re not sure when he’s coming back,” Clippers coach Ty Lue said before Game 5. “It’s a day-to-day thing and when he’s feeling good and medical says he’s clear to go, that’s what we’ll do.”
After missing the final eight regular-season games and Game 1 of the series, Leonard returned and logged 35 minutes, scoring 15 points in Game 2. But Leonard said his knee did not respond the way he had hoped. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Leonard experienced swelling. The two-time Finals MVP gutted out 25 minutes and had nine points and nine rebounds but clearly did not move like his normal self in Game 3. Frank announced on Sunday that Leonard will be out until he is able to move like he did in Game 2 and his return is uncertain.
Should the Clippers even the series in Dallas on Friday, Game 7 will be on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.