Clippers Rumors: Could Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Return For 2022 Playoffs?

The Los Angeles Clippers could become one of the top contenders for the 2022 NBA Finals if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George return for the playoffs. While there remains some hope that the two superstars might play again this season, time is not on their side.

Leonard has missed the entire season after undergoing surgery in July to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. A torn ulnar collateral ligament in George's right elbow has kept him off the court since Dec. 22.

The latest reports suggest that George might be ready to go for the postseason. Leonard seems unlikely to play before the 2022-23 season.

George will avoid surgery, potentially allowing him to come back within the next few weeks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The timetable for a return following ACL surgery can be around nine months.

“It’s certainly more realistic that Paul George has a chance to return. He got past the point where they felt they needed to do surgery so there’s more optimism that we’ll see him.”

Woj adds that there’s ‘far less likelihood’ that Kawhi Leonard returns.pic.twitter.com/WRI6L3IvM9
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 9, 2022

This year’s play-in tournament starts on April 12. The first day of the playoffs is set for April 16.

The Clippers will almost certainly have to earn a playoff spot in the play-in tournament. With only 14 games left in the regular season, Los Angeles is six games out of the No. 6 seed, which it would need to skip the play-in tournament.

If the Clippers stay as the No. 8 seed or move up to No. 7, they will only need one play-in victory to make the postseason. Falling to the No. 9 or No. 10 seed would require two play-in wins for a playoff berth.

The Clippers are 5.5 games ahead of the No. 9 seed Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite their scoring woes, the Clippers have a winning record after eight wins in their last 11 games. Only four teams average fewer points-per-possession than the Clippers.

"I'm tired of hearing this shit. When they're playing, I'll let y'all know. I'm tired of talking about them every day. We can't win a game, but we gotta talk about Kawhi/PG. Talk about the guys in the locker room that's fighting & clawing every single day."

- Tyronn Lue pregame* pic.twitter.com/ddVKEOSRXe
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 10, 2022

The Clippers reached Game 6 of the 2021 Western Conference Finals after Leonard suffered his season-ending injury halfway through the second round. George averaged 29 points and 10 rebounds per game in the final two playoff series.

In 26 games this season, George is averaging 24.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and a career-high 5.5 assists per game. Leonard was playing as well as anyone in the 2021 playoffs before getting hurt with 30.4 points per game on 57.3% shooting.

The Clippers are on track to play the Phoenix Suns or Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.