Kawhi Leonard will not be making the trip to Paris with USA Basketball after all.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward is withdrawing from the upcoming Olympics over health concerns, USA Basketball announced Wednesday.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas. He felt ready to compete,” USA Basketball said in a statement. “However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it’s in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is the leader to replace Leonard on the American roster.
ESPN’s Marc Spears also reported that Leonard’s camp reached out to USA Basketball two days ago “expressing concern,” presumably about his health.
Injuries have been a problem for Leonard throughout his NBA career. He played in 68 regular season games for the Clippers in 2023-24, even averaging a career-high 34.3 minutes per game, but was limited to only two playoff appearances due to a right knee injury.
The Clippers wound up losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
As for Team USA, they will take on Canada tonight in an exhibition matchup, sans Leonard. Tip off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Related: Vice President Kamala Harris Met Team USA Basketball On Tuesday