A file photo of Mark J. TERRIll.
There is a chance that Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, who has been out since suffering a partially torn right knee in the second round of the playoffs, will return to the court this season.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported the news during his sideline reporting duties at the Clippers game on Thursday. Leonard is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
Leonard has increased his workload in recent weeks and is looking stronger and stronger.
Leonard, a five-time All-Star, averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebound, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals last season.
Without Leonard, the Clippers have struggled, going 19-19 this season and facing the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
All-Star Paul George missed 12 games due to a right elbow injury that was diagnosed as a torn right UCL in late December.
The Clippers are still in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers entered Thursday one game behind the Dallas Mavericks and four games ahead of the 11th-place Sacramento Kings, who are currently the first team on the outside looking into the play-in tournament picture.
If the Clippers keep floating around.500 until Leonard gets back, they could be in good shape to make late-season and playoff runs.
The Clippers don't seem to be concerned about their playoff positioning at the moment, according to Haynes.
Haynes said that multiple players told Yahoo Sports that they are not concerned about playoff positioning if the team is fully healthy.
The Clippers reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
They beat the Jazz in the second round before falling to the Suns in the conference finals without Leonard, who missed the final two games of the Utah series.
