NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule; return this season likely?

NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard is ahead of schedule and a possible return this season is very much a possibility. 

Through the first couple of months into the 2021-22 NBA season, the LA Clippers were one of the pleasant surprises in the Western Conference. Paul George was playing at a high level and was doing his best to carry the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard, who tore his ACL in the playoffs last season.

Then, George suffered an injury that would cost him a significant portion of the season. George suffered an elbow injury a few weeks ago that was going to force him to miss at least a month. He’s expected to be reevaluated in a couple of weeks.

Nevertheless, that halted the Clippers’ moment this season. And in their last 10 games, the team is just 3-7  as they’ve fallen to 8th in the Western Conference standings.

One shred of good news, however, is the latest update on Kawhi, which suggests that a return for him this season is a “strong” possibility. And that the perennial all-star is ahead of schedule in his rehab.

This is all good news for the Clippers, there’s no question about it. That said, I can’t say that I’m 100 percent buying this latest report that a return this season is a strong possibility. Knowing Kawhi’s history when it comes to injuries, he’s not exactly the type of return sooner rather than later from injury.

In fact, over the last few years, Kawhi has been known to operate on his own schedule. He may as well be ahead of schedule, but I’m not sure that gives us much insight into what Kawhi and his camp are thinking about a possible return.

Though, if he were to return this season, it would certainly add a great deal of interest heading into the playoff push in the Western Conference.