Kawhi Leonard, John Collins avoid injury, to play vs. Lakers despite scary collision
The Clippers received a major sigh of relief ahead of their matchup with the Lakers, as both Kawhi Leonard and John Collins are expected to play after a frightening in-game collision that briefly silenced the arena and sent trainers rushing to the floor.
The incident, which occurred during a contested rebound in traffic, saw Leonard and Collins crash into each other awkwardly, with both appearing shaken as they stayed down for several moments. Given Leonard’s history of lower-body injuries and the organization’s cautious approach with his health, there was immediate concern that the Clippers’ franchise star might be facing another setback. Collins, newly integrated into the frontcourt, also drew attention as he gingerly got to his feet.
Initial evaluations, however, were encouraging. Both players reportedly cleared the necessary checks and avoided any structural damage, allowing the Clippers to list them as available for the upcoming rivalry game against the Lakers. In a Western Conference race where margins are thin, simply having their full complement of starters is significant.
From a league-wide perspective, Leonard’s continued availability matters beyond Los Angeles. When healthy, he remains one of the NBA’s premier two-way forces, someone who can tilt playoff series and shift the balance of power. The league has invested heavily in monitoring player health and managing workloads, and this episode underscores how quickly a season’s outlook can hinge on a single collision in the paint.
For the Clippers, the news preserves both short- and long-term plans. Leonard’s presence stabilizes their hierarchy on both ends of the floor, while Collins’ size, athleticism, and floor-spacing are central to the team’s retooled frontcourt identity. Facing a Lakers squad that leans heavily on its own star power, the Clippers can now approach the matchup with their rotation intact instead of scrambling for contingency lineups.
A scary moment has ultimately turned into a bullet dodged, and the spotlight shifts back from the training room to the court, where Leonard and Collins will try to prove the collision was merely a brief scare rather than a turning point.
The incident, which occurred during a contested rebound in traffic, saw Leonard and Collins crash into each other awkwardly, with both appearing shaken as they stayed down for several moments. Given Leonard’s history of lower-body injuries and the organization’s cautious approach with his health, there was immediate concern that the Clippers’ franchise star might be facing another setback. Collins, newly integrated into the frontcourt, also drew attention as he gingerly got to his feet.
Initial evaluations, however, were encouraging. Both players reportedly cleared the necessary checks and avoided any structural damage, allowing the Clippers to list them as available for the upcoming rivalry game against the Lakers. In a Western Conference race where margins are thin, simply having their full complement of starters is significant.
From a league-wide perspective, Leonard’s continued availability matters beyond Los Angeles. When healthy, he remains one of the NBA’s premier two-way forces, someone who can tilt playoff series and shift the balance of power. The league has invested heavily in monitoring player health and managing workloads, and this episode underscores how quickly a season’s outlook can hinge on a single collision in the paint.
For the Clippers, the news preserves both short- and long-term plans. Leonard’s presence stabilizes their hierarchy on both ends of the floor, while Collins’ size, athleticism, and floor-spacing are central to the team’s retooled frontcourt identity. Facing a Lakers squad that leans heavily on its own star power, the Clippers can now approach the matchup with their rotation intact instead of scrambling for contingency lineups.
A scary moment has ultimately turned into a bullet dodged, and the spotlight shifts back from the training room to the court, where Leonard and Collins will try to prove the collision was merely a brief scare rather than a turning point.
