LOS ANGELES — LA Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard returned for Game 2 of the team’s first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, scoring 15 points in a 96-93 loss.
Leonard had not played since March 31, missing the final eight games of the regular season and Sunday’s Game 1 win with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
His return Tuesday was announced by coach Ty Lue about two hours before tipoff. Leonard played 35 minutes in the loss, adding 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists and a block as the Clippers watched the Mavericks even the best-of-seven series at 1.
“I felt good,” he said. “We still got more games to play and more time to get better. Just keep trying to get a rhythm back.”
Leonard had participated in practices, including Monday’s, leading into Game 2. Asked if Leonard had gone through contact before returning, Lue said his star checked off all the boxes for a safe return but added that the contact would come in Game 2.
Leonard wasn’t under a minutes restriction Tuesday; instead, Lue gauged how he was feeling throughout.
Leonard entered Game 2 averaging 32.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the playoffs against Dallas. He played in 68 games this season, his most since the 2016-17 season with the Spurs.
“It’s great having ‘2’ back out there,” teammate Paul George said, referring to Leonard’s jersey number. “He’s going to find his rhythm and we’re going to find out rhythm around him.”
Game 3 is Friday in Dallas.
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