The Los Angeles Clippers were undermanned much of the 2021-22 season but still managed to make the play-in tournament despite some major injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for much of the year.
It was evident that they were not at full strength, and they ultimately lost a pair of play-in games to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans to miss out on the playoffs.
Leonard was rumored to possibly come back this past season for the playoffs, but he and the team felt it would be best to err on the side of caution and wait until next year for a return.
They will look to bounce back next season with the impending return of Leonard, who should certainly play a big factor for the team next season.
There are still some big question marks surrounding the two-time NBA champion moving forward.
At his best, he is one of the best players in all of basketball, but he hasn’t played in an NBA game since tearing his ACL last June.
A workout video from Leonard has gone viral on social media on Friday, where he looked to be at practice at nearly full speed, which is a great sign for Clippers fans.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard putting in work at UCSD this morning 👀
(h/t @TravoWatson) pic.twitter.com/5z9KPHWCc8
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 24, 2022
This video has Clippers fans eager to see him return for the team next year.
https://twitter.com/superherogeek_0/status/1540442293232029696
Easily the most encouraging thing I’ve seen regarding Kawhi since last June. https://t.co/DgAMIkJs41
— Justin W. (@LAClippersFilm) June 24, 2022
Cannot wait to see this man play basketball again 🖐️ https://t.co/Oa1fyg5TW3
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) June 24, 2022
The return is near ⏳ https://t.co/7J6kqqsCGw
— J2 (@j_izeah) June 24, 2022
If Leonard returns to full strength next season, there is certainly no reason that the Clippers can’t be back atop the Western Conference standings in the 2022-23 season.
