The Los Angeles Clippers are getting healthier, but they're not all the way there yet.
On Saturday, they'll have James Harden back on the floor to take on the Phoenix Suns. But they won't have Kawhi Leonard.
Of their main rotation pieces, Leonard will be the only one to miss out on the Western Conference showdown.
MORE: Pelicans have a Zion Williamson problem that a trade won't solve
Why isn't Kawhi Leonard playing tonight?
Leonard remains out with an injury.
He's dealing with an ankle sprain, according to the Clippers.
Leonard came into the night averaging 24.3 points per game this season, and that average won't change until Leonard returns to the floor.
Without Leonard, usually John Collins gets the chance at a few more minutes for the Clippers.
It's not a great night to be without Kawhi, who is a key defender against the Suns' talented perimeter players.
The Clippers loaded up this offseason, though, and still have a lot of strong pieces. They'll just have to keep figuring out how to play without Leonard until he can return to action.
More NBA news:
- Lakers keep Hall of Famer's son on G League roster
- Um, Klay Thompson shot the ball backwards
- Donovan Mitchell does something not done since Michael Jordan in 1985
- If Grizzlies trade Ja Morant, another superstar might be on his way out, too
- Steph Curry passed Kobe Bryant and is closing in on a Michael Jordan NBA record
- Russell Westbrook set a record that has never been done before