Defeated Clippers hope Kawhi Leonard can participate in Game 4.

The defeated Clippers hope Kawhi Leonard can participate in Game 4. The health of Kawhi Leonard appears to be the deciding factor in the Cli...

The defeated Clippers hope Kawhi Leonard can participate in Game 4.

The health of Kawhi Leonard appears to be the deciding factor in the Clippers coach Ty Lue's Los Angeles team's playoff prospects.

Prior to Thursday night's third game in their first-round Western Conference series against the Phoenix Suns, Leonard was scratched. The best-of-seven series began with the Clippers losing the first home game 129-124, and the outcome of Game 4 on Saturday hangs in the balance regarding Kawhi Leonard's health.

It's quite deflating, said Lue on Thursday. "I think more so for Kawhi, because you have a guy who is recovering from an ACL, hasn't missed a rehab session, eats right, eats clean, does everything he can for his body, and works really hard to get to this point," said the commentator. After that, something similar occurs. In light of all the effort he puts in, it is difficult for him. I'm sorry for him.

Lawrence Frank, the basketball department's director, stated that Leonard suffered a right knee injury in Game 1 and played with just mild discomfort in Game 2. In the first two games, Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, but Frank claimed the knee problem got worse before Game 3.

Frank added on Thursday that the Clippers are not banking on injured forward Paul George to return. George "has made progress" in his recovery from a right knee sprain but is not anticipated to participate in the series.

Russell Westbrook, a guard for the Clippers, believed Leonard continued to give the squad vitality by sitting on the bench and interacting with the players like a member of the coaching staff during the game. Due to the short turnaround before a Saturday afternoon game, Los Angeles had little time to discuss personnel options.

If he doesn't come back, Westbrook added, "we have to band together, help each other, and figure out how to make something happen." There is a series. the first four. For Saturday afternoon, get ready.