It’s a story almost as old the NBA playoffs.
Star players sustain injuries in the playoffs.
And this season is no different.
Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Thursday’s Game 3 against Phoenix with a sprained right knee. The series is tied 1-1.
Leonard was fantastic in the first two games of the series with 38 points, five rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in Game 1 and 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Game 2. He’s a combined 24-for-44 shooting (54.5%).
The fifth-seeded Clippers are already without Paul George (sprained right knee) and an uphill climb against the fourth-seeded Suns became steeper with Leonard’s absence. It’s already difficult defending the Suns’ Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, and now, the Clippers are without an elite scorer and defender.
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NBA playoffs missing key players
Leonard joins a growing list of injured stars who have missed games since the playoffs began on Saturday.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Game 2 against Miami after sustaining a back contusion in Game 1. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer indicated Antetokounmpo might able to play in Game 2, but that wasn’t the case. That series is also 1-1.
Memphis’ Ja Morant injured his right (shooting) hand in Game 1, and it was determined about an hour before Game 2 on Wednesday that he was unable to play. The Grizzlies won without Morant, and his status for Game 3 is unknown in that tied series.
Miami’s Tyler Herro broke his right (shooting) hand in Game 1 and is out 4-6 weeks.
The Clippers’ George hasn’t played since March 21, and Memphis’ Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke are sidelined for the Grizzlies.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kawhi Leonard ruled out for Game 3 of Clippers-Suns NBA playoff series