Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, after making his highly anticipated season debut, is listed as day-to-day due to “burnout.” Following his successful return to the court after a lengthy absence, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is experiencing some unexpected fatigue.
A tweet read,
“Kawhi Leonard listed as day-to-day after experiencing ‘burnout’ from playing his first game in months.”
Kawhi Leonard listed as day-to-day after experiencing ‘burnout’ from playing his first game in months.
(Via @ChrisBHayne) pic.twitter.com/aE2nqAzHrn
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) January 5, 2025
Kawhi Leonard’s Season Debut
Leonard’s return to the court was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. In his first game back, Leonard played 19 minutes and scored 12 points, including three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. His presence on the floor was a significant boost for the Clippers, who secured a 131-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Burnout and Day-to-Day Status
Despite the successful debut, Leonard’s status has been listed as day-to-day due to burnout from playing his first game in months. The Clippers’ head coach, Tyronn Lue, emphasized the importance of taking it slow and not rushing Leonard back into full-game action. Leonard himself acknowledged the challenges of returning to the court after such a long hiatus, stating, “I don’t know. Last time, I woke up and it flared up and I couldn’t move. Now, it’s just keeping it moving and, I don’t know, just day to day.”
Managing Leonard’s Playing Time
To ensure Leonard’s health and longevity, the Clippers have implemented a minute restriction for him. Lue mentioned that they are being intentional with Leonard’s playing time, treating his return as a preseason and training camp to gradually build up his minutes. Leonard is fully on board with this approach, understanding the need to ease back into the game.
ALSO READ: Anthony Edwards’ Frustration with Double-Teams: A Deep Dive