On Thursday evening, the LA Clippers will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Intuit Dome.
The Clippers come into the night as the 10th seed with a 27-30 record in 57 games. They most recently lost (in Los Angeles) to the Orlando Magic, 111-109.
NBA World Reacts To Kawhi Leonard News
For the game, the Clippers will be without their best player, as superstar forward Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out due to an ankle injury.
Underdog NBA wrote: “Kawhi Leonard (ankle) ruled out Thursday.”
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) ruled out Thursday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) February 26, 2026
Here’s what people were saying about the news:
Law Murray: “Surprise, Kawhi Leonard and John Collins are both out tonight vs Timberwolves Both didn’t finish last Friday at Los Angeles. Leonard played on questionable tag Sunday. Collins will wind up with eight days off prior to Sunday vs Pelicans.”
Surprise, Kawhi Leonard and John Collins are both out tonight vs Timberwolves
Both didn’t finish last Friday at Los Angeles. Leonard played on questionable tag Sunday. Collins will wind up with eight days off prior to Sunday vs Pelicans. https://t.co/S2Hx1ppVxY
— Law Murray 🏴☠️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 26, 2026
Tomer Azarly: “Tonight’s Clippers game against the Wolves just got much more difficult, but this will mean that… – Kawhi Leonard gets a week to rest his bothersome left ankle – John Collins gets 9 days to rest after taking a hard hit to the head, suffering neck soreness and a head laceration. The Clippers will play a whopping 18 games in 31 days in March, including 4 back-to-back sets. This is essentially the last real chance to get those guys real rest days before things get crazy.”
Tonight’s Clippers game against the Wolves just got much more difficult, but this will mean that…
– Kawhi Leonard gets a week to rest his bothersome left ankle
– John Collins gets 9 days to rest after taking a hard hit to the head, suffering neck soreness and a head… https://t.co/FWA5WQ8N3X— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 26, 2026
Justin Russo: “Tonight will mark Kawhi Leonard’s 14th missed game of the season. The forward can only miss three more before being deemed ineligible for All-NBA and other awards.”
Tonight will mark Kawhi Leonard’s 14th missed game of the season. The forward can only miss three more before being deemed ineligible for All-NBA and other awards.
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) February 26, 2026
@LAClippersFilm: “UPDATED Injury Report: LAC vs MIN OUT: Bradley Beal – Left Hip Fracture John Collins – Head Laceration; Neck Soreness Darius Garland – Left Toe Injury Management Kawhi Leonard – Left Ankle Soreness”
UPDATED Injury Report: LAC vs MIN
OUT:
Bradley Beal – Left Hip Fracture
John Collins – Head Laceration; Neck Soreness
Darius Garland – Left Toe Injury Management
Kawhi Leonard – Left Ankle Soreness— Justin W (@LAClippersFilm) February 26, 2026
The Clippers made a big splash when they landed Leonard in the summer of 2019.
That said, the franchise has been unable to reach the NBA Finals during his seven years as part of the organization.
Leonard is currently averaging 28.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while shooting 49.4% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range in 44 games.
Following Minnesota, the Clippers will play their next game on Sunday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
They are 14-12 in 26 games at home.
