Kawhi Leonard was shocked the NBA put out a press release Thursday night, announcing that the reigning Finals MVP is “suffering from an ongoing injury to the patella tendon in his left knee.”
Leonard added that he fully backs head coach Doc Rivers after making comments that “were inconsistent” with Kawhi’s health led to a $50,000 team fine.
Leonard, who led the Clips’ 107-101 comeback win against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers with 27 points and 13 rebounds, says the League appears to be pressuring players to hoop “if they’re not ready.”
Per ESPN:
“I mean it was shocking, but it doesn’t matter to me,” Leonard said when asked what he thought about the NBA revealing details about his injury. “I’m not a guy that reads the media anyway. We’re going to manage it the best way we can to keep me healthy and that’s the most important thing, me being healthy moving forward.”
This is the second time the Clippers have been fined this year for comments involving Leonard.
“For me, I’m on his side, you know what I mean?” Leonard said when asked about the league fining the Clippers twice over Rivers’ remarks about him. “I’m a Clipper, he’s my coach. That’s just disappointing. It feels like they want players to play if they’re not ready.
“It is what it is. Like I said, I don’t read into it. I got to do what makes me healthy and is going to help the team be successful and that’s me being able to play basketball games for us.”
Related Clippers Fined $50K for Doc Rivers’ Comments on Kawhi Leonard Sitting Out
