Oct 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (left) chats with teammates Ivica Zubac (40) and Chris Paul on the bench during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.BJ MathewsFri, November 21, 2025 at 6:04 PM UTC·5 min readLOS ANGELES -- Do what is best for you.
In life it can be a trap to listen to the outside noise or naysayers, over professionals with experience. Somewhere down the line, LA Clippers Superstar Kawhi Leonard learned that.
The LA Clippers dropped another game and this time it would be against the Orlando Magic 101-129. With the loss, the Clippers would fall to 4-12 while dropping 9 of their last 10 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOver the last few years, Leonard has been on the wrong end of major injuries, so much so that even minor injuries multiple players get through an 82-game season. The outsiders are ready to throw in the towel with Leonard and say phrases like “just retire”.
Understandable.
Leonard has been out for 10 games in a row with a reported ankle and foot sprain, and much like the last six years the Clippers as a team are missing his presence.
The frustration is valid.
Not only valid amongst Clipper fans but basketball fans in general who want to see his greatness, and there is no one who understands that more than Leonard himself.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeonard comes back better after every injury.
Since joining the Clippers back in 2019, Leonard has played 272 out of the 486 games and has missed 214 regular season games in total. In 4 of the last six seasons, he has not completed a playoff run for the Clippers.
Despite the serious injuries he has accumulated in the last few years, it is surprising how he looks when he comes back every single time.
This came after last year’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, and the Clippers going on a winning streak towards the end of the season primarily because of Leonard's play.
There is something many people must understand about Leonard. If he is not close to 100% healed, he will not go out there and play.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSome people respect it, some people don’t, that’s fine, but this is the method that has worked for him. From something as serious as a torn ACL to something as simple as an ankle sprain. The plan of attack remains the same.
There was an instance in the 2024 playoffs versus the Dallas Mavericks where Leonard came back from being out for a month with knee inflammation. He wasn’t able to complete no more than a game and a half before being shut down for the rest of the series.
So.
Could Leonard go out there, and try to tough it out? Maybe. But at what cost? Not performing the level, he is supposed to? That is a risk Leonard, nor the Clippers medical staff feel it's worth taking at this point of the season even with them struggling.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis isn't a Leonard thing though many players throughout the NBA in an 82 game season will play when its probably not the best idea.
Another star dealing with similar injuries
When looking at another player in the league that has the injury bug on him like Leonard is NBA Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid.
Him playing through serious injuries especially in the 2024 playoffs vs the Knicks has put him in the position where he is now. Unlike Leonard, Embiid since the 2024 playoffs his performances have declined drastically along with how much time he is able to stay on the court.
Last season, Embiid completed only 19 out of 82 games before being shut down. This past off-season, he had surgery on his right knee, and was scheduled to be ready to play, and so far, he has only completed 6 out of 14 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeonard and Embiid have taken different approaches when dealing with serious deliberating injuries .
It's a tough call, but it is hard not to understand Leonard's ideology, especially with his individual performances either inclining or staying steady.
It is a life lesson that it is impossible to please everyone. So why even try? Do what is best for you.
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