Injured Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard pulls out of Olympics
Los Angeles Clippers star and Team USA forward Kawhi Leonard will not play in the upcoming Olympics, prioritizing his well-being for the next NBA season, officials said Wednesday.
Los Angeles Clippers star and Team USA forward Kawhi Leonard will not play in the upcoming Olympics, prioritizing his well-being for the next NBA season, officials said Wednesday.
Leonard, 33, had been hobbling with an injured knee during the Clippers' first-round playoff loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
"The organization and the Clippers determined it’s in Leonard’s best interest to spend the rest of the summer preparing for the upcoming season," USA Basketball said in a statement.
Leonard played in Games 2 and 3 of the best-of-7 series, won Dallas won four games to two.
“I want to thank Kawhi for his commitment to the USA Men’s National Team," team managing director Grant Hill said in statement. "He earned the opportunity to represent the United States, but USA Basketball and Clippers leadership felt it’s important to allow Kawhi to prepare for the NBA season.”
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