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With the Clippers and Suns hoping to maintain their championship hopes, the absence of Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul is imminent.
Phoenix did a great job without Paul, soaring to a 2-0 series lead after the outstanding performances of Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton and Cameron Payne, who replaced Paul in the starting lineup. . At the same time, Los Angeles relied heavily on Paul George and Reggie Jackson. Leonard was absent but failed to ensure an away victory.
more: Chris Paul reacts to Deandre Ayton’s winning dunk
The two All-Stars are not excluded from the NBA playoffs, so when will they return to the game?
The following is the latest news from Leonard and Paul before the third game on Thursday.
Will Kawhi Leonard play against the Suns?
Leonard was listed as absent in the official third game injury report. The Clippers forward has never played since he sprained his right knee in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Los Angeles did not provide any other information about Leonard’s recovery schedule. On Tuesday’s “NBA Countdown” show, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that there is not much optimism within the organization that Leonard will return soon.
“I think now that the Suns are confident that Chris Paul will return to the series,” Wojnarowski says Before the second game. “The confidence of Kawhi Leonard’s return does not exist in Los Angeles now.”
In 11 games in the playoffs, Leonard averaged 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game, shooting 57.3% from the field and 39.3% from the three-point range.
Will Chris Paul play against the Clippers?
Paul was listed as possible to participate in the third game. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Suns guard was forced to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 last week, but he has cleared the health and safety agreement and intends to return to the third game.
“League sources told me that Phoenix Suns star guard Chris Paul passed his heart check this morning. This is the last step to clear NBA health and safety regulations,” Haynes said on Wednesday’s NBA TV show.
Through 10 playoff games, Paul averaged 15.7 points, 8.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 50.9% from the field and 44.4% from the three-point field.
Clippers’ third injury report to the Suns
(As of 8:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday)
| team | player | status | the reason |
| scissors | Sergi Ibaka | Go out | Retreat; surgery |
| scissors | Kawhi Leonard | Go out | Right knee; sprain |
| Suns | Abdul Nader | Go out | Right knee; rehabilitation |
| Suns | Chris Paul | may | Health and Safety Agreement |
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