Clippers to be without star Kawhi Leonard Monday vs. Thunder

The Los Angeles Clippers will miss forward Kawhi Leonard in a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder pay a visit to the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, they will be facing them without one of their biggest stars.

While former Thunder star Paul George is scheduled to play for the Clippers, fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out due to a left knee contusion suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets. Leonard has already missed the previous two games, a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans and a win over the Atlanta Hawks, so this will now be three straight games missed for the Finals MVP.

It is good news for the Thunder that they will now only have to game-plan for George rather than for both superstars.

It’s a homecoming for Thunder second-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will make his return to L.A. after being the starting point guard on their playoff team in 2019, as well as forward Danilo Gallinari, who also was acquired in the George trade.

Tipoff from Staples Center is set for 9:30 p.m. CST. [lawrence-related id=427426,427420,427416]