Kawhi ruled out of Western Conference Finals
July 1, 2026
Last updated by Sujan on June 15, 2026
The LA Clippers competed against the Phoenix Suns without their star player during the Western Conference Finals.
Leonard's participation in subsequent rounds remains uncertain following his injury in the Western Conference Semifinals.
His absence extends through the remainder of the Western Conference Finals, though he may still feature in the NBA Finals depending on team performance.
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The Clippers trail in Game 6 against the Suns, needing victory to stay alive in the series.
If they advance, Leonard might rejoin for the NBA Finals given his recovery progress.
Kawhi Leonard's Injury Situation
The team confirmed Leonard's absence for Game 6. The Suns currently lead the series 3-2 after the Clippers secured a win in Game 5 on Monday. Should the series extend to Game 7, it would occur on Friday.
Leonard suffered a knee sprain during the Western Conference Semifinals, specifically in Game 4 against the Utah Jazz on June 14.
Initial concerns suggested a severe ACL tear, though subsequent reports indicate a less critical injury. Leonard has not participated in the Western Conference Finals but remained involved by supporting teammates at Staples Center.
Rehabilitation is ongoing for his sprained knee in Los Angeles, with no definitive decision on NBA Finals participation if the Clippers advance.
Sources informed Yahoo Sports via Chris Haynes that Leonard's representatives will consult with the team regarding next steps post-Suns series.
Kawhi Leonard improving, return plans pending (source:)As a two-time NBA Finals MVP, Leonard delivered impressive stats across 52 games of 72: 24.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.9 3PM, and 1.6 SPG.
During these contests, the Clippers frequently rested him for playoff preparation.
His average rose to 30.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 4.4 APG when fully fit.
Unfortunate injuries during the conference semifinals cost him crucial games—and now the entire series against Phoenix.
The Clippers' Resilience Without Leonard
Missing a key player creates significant challenges, yet the Clippers maintain optimism for the NBA Finals.
Their journey included erasing a 2-0 deficit against Utah Jazz to reach Conference Finals, followed by a similar comeback against Phoenix.
This turnaround was fueled by teammates stepping up in Leonard's absence.
Paul George notably reduced the Suns' 3-1 series lead with 40 points in Game 5.
Suns Coach Monty Williams acknowledged their adaptability despite losing Leonard, referencing previous experiences with injured stars.
"We understand not only how good they were without Kawhi, but the coaching, the experience that they had that we didn't have," Williams explained.
"Obviously when you lose a guy like Kawhi, it affects your team—I mean, we didn't have Chris for a couple of games (due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols)."
"And when we played with the Lakers, he was playing with one arm, so we certainly understand what that's like."
"You always coach for the best team, you know what I'm saying? You prepare like they're gonna come out and be the best team you've ever played against, no matter who's on the floor."
Guards Norman Powell and Terance Mann also contributed significantly alongside other players.
Coach Ty Lue highlighted the value of depth, noting how younger players gained confidence through increased responsibilities.
"We've had practice at it," Lue remarked. "With PG and Kawhi being out, with Serge being out, Pat Beverley being out a lot this year."
"I think our young guys really have had a chance to step up and play well in big games and big moments all season."
"Luke Kennard, Terance Mann have been phenomenal all year. Reggie Jackson, just taking over that starting role with Pat being out. He's been phenomenal."
"Guys have stepped up. They have the experience. I think that's the biggest thing—having the experience of being able to get consistent minutes throughout the regular season, and you just carry it over to the postseason."
Lue added that teams lacking their primary scorer often reveal vulnerabilities opponents exploit effectively.
"I think at times you come into the series, into the games, thinking about trying to take away a team's best player and how to defend them, then when he's out, the other team kind of plays a different style of basketball. So you just really can't key in on one or two guys."
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About Bikram Jirel
Bikram Jirel serves as a multifaceted editor and writer passionate about sports storytelling. His work combines audience insight with strategic content creation.
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