Fans of the Los Angeles Clippers were heartbroken on Thursday when they heard that Kawhi Leonard wouldn’t be playing against the Phoenix Suns due to a knee injury.
They were even more heartbroken a few hours later when the Clippers fell to the Suns, who now lead 2-1 in the series.
Many people are talking about Leonard’s absence, including Skip Bayless, who wishes Leonard would have just pushed through any pain.
“I know Kawhi wants to be 110%, but in a game like this, you just play and suck it up,” Bayless said on Undisputed.
“I know Kawhi wants to be 110%, but in a game like this, you just play and suck it up.”
— @RealSkipBayless on Suns taking 2-1 series lead over Clippers pic.twitter.com/N8Bi8k3hPi
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 21, 2023
Bayless said that the multiple injuries Leonard has endured recently have impacted his body and have also impacted his entire career.
He knows that Leonard will never be the sort of player he once was.
But he wishes he would have dragged himself onto the court on Thursday night, no matter the state of his knees.
Bayless is stating what many fans believe.
However, it is important to remember that the team said Leonard wanted to play but the medical staff advised him against it.
Additionally, think of the further damage that could have been done if Leonard just “sucked it up.”
The Clippers are in a very tough spot with Leonard.
He is still one of the most talented and explosive players alive when he’s healthy.
Yet, the team isn’t getting enough time from him and their season could be coming to an end soon because of that.
Plus, he’s not the only one who is hurt: Paul George is also still out with injuries of his own.
How much longer will LA attempt to win it all with their two biggest stars continually being out of the game?
NEXT:
Clippers Get Bad News On Star Ahead Of Game 3 Matchup
