Sources - Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely to start season - ESPN

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely to begin the NBA season as he rehabilitates from inflammation in his right knee, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

The Clippers and Leonard are in the midst of a rehab process for the two-time NBA Finals MVP that is aimed at bringing sustainability for him on the court through the season, and the franchise will be diligent and cautious to ensure his fitness long term.

Leonard, 33, has neither played during the Clippers' entire preseason — which concludes Thursday against the Sacramento Kings — nor participated in any activity involving on-court contact during training camp.

«He has not been a part of what we've been doing on a daily basis,» Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw said after Wednesday's practice. «I know the company line has been that we're going to be patient with him, so he's doing everything that he can to rehab it and strengthen that knee on his own with our medical staff. And we're just dealing with the guys that we have [available].»

In Leonard's absence, James Harden, who feels more comfortable this season after having a full training camp, will be relied upon to shoulder much of the offensive load and be the team leader. He joined the franchise last year during an early-season trade from Philadelphia and had to adapt alongside Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

With George now in Philadelphia and Westbrook in Denver, Harden will try to be a playmaker for the likes of Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Terance Mann.

Harden has said that Leonard needs to take all the time he needs to return and be healthy for late in the season.

Leonard began to experience inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee following a win at Charlotte on