Kawhi Leonard’s Heavy Burden as Clippers Aim for Playoff Success
The Los Angeles Clippers have ignited a flicker of hope for their season by stringing together five consecutive victories, bringing their record to 11-21. This recent surge has narrowed the gap between them and the tenth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers to just 2.5 games, positioning the Clippers to potentially ascend the Western Conference rankings. However, this positive momentum comes with a significant caveat: the risk of overextending Kawhi Leonard may jeopardize both his health and the team’s playoff aspirations.
Reliance on Stars Intensifies
In their quest to salvage the season, the Clippers have leaned heavily on the shoulders of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. While Harden is seasoned in shouldering a substantial offensive load and logging hefty minutes, Leonard finds himself in uncharted territory. Historically, he hasn’t been asked to play such extensive minutes during the regular season, yet recent performances have pushed him into a demanding role that may not be sustainable.
Over the past month, Leonard’s workload has surged. He averaged 36 minutes per game in December, with a usage rate soaring to 32.6%. He has logged over 40 minutes in three games and has played in back-to-back contests. During this five-game winning streak, Leonard has played less than 36 minutes only once—during a decisive victory against the Sacramento Kings. Even in that game, he managed to squeeze in nearly 20 minutes of play in the first half alone. In a telling move, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue opted to keep Leonard on the floor for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, despite a substantial 29-point lead, to ensure that the victory was secure.
Depth Issues Heighten Concerns
The Clippers’ depth has taken a hit with significant injuries to key players like Bradley Beal and Chris Paul, and now Ivica Zubac is sidelined for the next few weeks. This lack of available talent has led Lue to feel compelled to keep Leonard on the court, even in games where the team appears to be comfortably ahead. While Leonard has looked sprightly and healthy thus far, it’s crucial to consider that he is 34 years old and has a troubling history of injuries, particularly after long stretches of heavy minutes.
Recently, Leonard acknowledged the need to adapt his playing style to be more aggressive, given the increased demand for scoring from him. This shift not only adds pressure but also requires a greater expenditure of energy—an unsettling prospect for a player with the highest usage rate he has seen in six years.
Looking Ahead
If Leonard can maintain this high level of performance without succumbing to injury, the Clippers could very well continue their winning ways and mount a serious challenge in the latter half of the season. Yet, for Clippers fans, the worry looms large regarding the long-term implications of the considerable strain on Leonard’s body. As the team pushes forward, the balancing act between immediate success and future sustainability is more critical than ever.
