Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Why Kawhi Leonard left his team before game against Denver Nuggets? Latest update for Clippers forward

Leonard has appeared in only two games after missing the first 34 games of the season.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard was not part of the LA Clippers game against the Denver Nuggets as he stepped out from the game due to a wildfire in Los Angeles. He left the team before the game to be with his family after they were evacuated from their home in Pacific Palisades.

BREAKING: Kawhi Leonard is stepping away from the Clippers to be with his family who were forced to evacuate their homes due to the LA fires.

Prayers. 🙏 (via @ChrisBHaynes) pic.twitter.com/7gkMjh9d0i
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 8, 2025

LA Clipper coach Tyronn Lue showed support to Leonard before the game in Denver. “You definitely have to take care of home. … Totally had my support 100%,” Clippers coach said. “Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing OK, so just happy and thankful for that.”

Recently, JJ Redick, the Lakers’ head coach acknowledged the emergency situation unfolding back home as his family was forced to evacuate their homes on Tuesday. The team’s flight back from Dallas had also been delayed due to heavy smoke due to the fire. Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr also shared that his 90-year-old mother was among those evacuated.

Also Read:

What’s the situation in Los Angeles? Will Leonard come back for home game?

National Weather Service warned everyone in Los Angeles that Santa Ana winds caused the wildfire and it could be life-threatening. The officials evacuated more than 3000 residents from the Pacific Palisades area.

"This is insane."

A new fire erupted in the famed Runyon Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, with officials in Los Angeles issuing an immediate evacuation order for people who live nearby.

Follow live wildfire updates: https://t.co/mEWkEBpjrK pic.twitter.com/GI6gNuvH8i
— ABC News (@ABC) January 9, 2025

Leonard has appeared in only two games after missing the first 34 games of the season due to a knee injury. He scored 12 points in a win over Atlanta on Saturday and 10 points in a loss against the Timberwolves on Monday night.

Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets squeezed past the LA Clippers 126-103 to secure their first win in their three-game homestand. They outscored the Clippers 33-19 in the first quarter and didn’t drop their lead throughout the game. Norman Powell was the top-performer for the Clippers and finished with 30 points.

LA Clippers dropped their second straight game and will now go on a three-game homestand. The fire is nearing LAX, which is right next to the home court of the Clippers. It might affect their Saturday’s game against the Hornets. As per the reports, 80000 people have already been forced to flee the era. The Lakers’ upcoming game might be postponed due to wildfire.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard

LA Clippers

NBA 2024-25

Tyronn Lue

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.