After Years of Injuries, Kawhi Leonard Looks Ready to Dominate—Can the NBA Stop Him This Time?

For years, the Los Angeles Clippers have been a team with high expectations and untapped potential. Injuries, inconsistencies, and untimely collapses have plagued their chances to break through in the NBA Playoffs, despite the presence of superstars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and now James Harden. But heading into the 2025-26 season, something feels different.

For the first time in several seasons, Kawhi Leonard is healthy, entering training camp without the burden of rehab or limitations. This rare clean slate might just be the factor that turns the Clippers from playoff regulars into true title contenders.

Clippers Surprised Without Kawhi Early in the 2024-25 Season

Back on January 4, 2025, the Clippers sat at 24-21, navigating a challenging Western Conference with Kawhi Leonard still sidelined due to an offseason knee procedure. The knee inflammation that began late in the 2024 season had kept him out for months, and the timeline for his return remained unclear.

Yet, the Clippers exceeded expectations. James Harden was playing like his All-Star self, facilitating offense and keeping defenses honest. Norman Powell delivered the best season of his career, providing consistent scoring. Ivica Zubac began to emerge as one of the most underrated centers in the NBA. Combined with elite team defense and high-effort role players, Los Angeles was not only surviving—they were thriving.

What made this stretch so impressive was the sheer resilience of a team without its best player. There was no Leonard, no definitive return date—just a team holding its own, waiting.

Kawhi Leonard Returns and Leads the Charge

When Kawhi Leonard finally returned, he wasted no time making his presence felt. Far from a player still working his way back, Leonard looked poised, polished, and powerful—closer to his peak form than anyone anticipated.

With Leonard back in the fold, the Clippers closed the regular season on a tear, winning 18 of their final 21 games and securing the No. 5 seed in the West. Leonard averaged 21.5 points per game, shooting an efficient 49.8% from the field and an elite 41.1% from three-point range over 37 games. More importantly, he looked healthy, fluid, and engaged—traits Clippers fans had been desperate to see from him again.

This wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement.

“Playoff Kawhi” Is Still One of the Best in the League

There’s a special switch that Kawhi Leonard seems to flip in the postseason. Dubbed “Playoff Kawhi” by fans and analysts alike, this version of Leonard plays at a different level—a level reserved for the NBA’s elite.

In the 2025 playoffs, that switch flipped again. Despite ultimately falling in seven games to the Denver Nuggets, Leonard was nothing short of phenomenal. He elevated his scoring to 25 points per game, grabbed 7.6 rebounds, and shot an outstanding 53.7% from the field.

His Game 2 performance was a vintage display of dominance: 39 points in one of the most efficient shooting nights of the postseason. While the Clippers fell short, Leonard’s excellence reaffirmed one thing: when he’s healthy, he’s still a top-10 player in the world.

A Fully Healthy Offseason: Kawhi’s Biggest Advantage Yet

One of the most significant developments ahead of the 2025-26 campaign is this: Kawhi Leonard is entering a fully healthy offseason for the first time in years. After multiple knee injuries, surgeries, and cautious timelines, Leonard now has a clean runway to prepare for the season.

This isn’t just good news—it’s potentially transformational.

Without the burden of rehabilitation, Leonard can finally focus on improving his conditioning, sharpening his skills, and building chemistry with the revamped roster. A healthy and locked-in Leonard could be the key to unlocking the Clippers’ first-ever NBA Finals appearance.

Clippers’ Offseason Moves Add Depth and Versatility

The Clippers’ front office didn’t sit still. Understanding the need for reinforcements, the team made several key moves to bolster its roster. Their goal? Support Kawhi and Harden with a mix of experience, athleticism, and shot creation.

First, they upgraded at backup center, swapping out Ben Simmons for Brook Lopez, bringing rim protection and floor spacing. Then, they acquired John Collins, one of the most underrated forwards in the league, trading away Norman Powell in the process. To add firepower, they brought in Bradley Beal, giving the team another perimeter scorer and secondary playmaker.

Perhaps the most nostalgic move was the return of Chris Paul to Los Angeles. Now serving as the backup point guard, CP3 adds leadership and stability to a second unit that struggled with ball-handling last year.

These moves not only improve the team’s talent but also allow Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to take strategic rest during the regular season, preserving their legs for the playoffs.

Can the Clippers Really Win It All?

With a healthy Kawhi Leonard, a motivated James Harden, and one of the deepest rosters in the league, the Clippers are legitimate title contenders. While youth-driven teams like the Thunder, Nuggets, and Rockets dominate headlines, the Clippers bring something those teams lack—veteran hunger and postseason battle scars.

The Western Conference is as competitive as ever, but experience wins in the playoffs, and the Clippers finally have the roster balance and star power to make a deep run. With a full season to develop chemistry, and a healthy Leonard leading the way, there’s no ceiling for this group.

What Could Still Go Wrong?

Of course, the Clippers’ journey won’t be without challenges. Health remains the biggest variable. Leonard’s recent injury history can’t be ignored, and Harden, now entering the back half of his career, also needs proper management. Their success will depend heavily on how often the core trio—Leonard, Harden, and Beal—can play together.

Team chemistry is another question. Integrating new pieces like John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Bradley Beal into a cohesive system takes time. While head coach Tyronn Lue is more than capable of handling rotations and egos, it will be a test early in the season.

But if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s the ability to adapt, battle, and overcome adversity.

Final Thoughts: The Time Is Now for the Clippers

For nearly a decade, the Clippers have hovered around greatness without ever fully breaking through. But with Kawhi Leonard finally healthy, and the roster deeper and more balanced than ever, 2025-26 may be their best chance yet.

Leonard’s return to form has already proven that he’s still a force on both ends of the floor. With the right support and injury luck, there’s no reason this team can’t go toe-to-toe with the best in the NBA.

The question isn’t whether Kawhi Leonard can lead the Clippers.
The real question is—can anyone stop them if he does?