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Kawhi Leonard out for Clippers in Game 4 vs. Mavericks with knee inflammation, could miss more time

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 31: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 31, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard missed Sunday's Game 4 of the Clippers' first round series against the Mavericks. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers announced that Kawhi Leonard will miss Sunday's Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks. And that might only be the start.

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told the media Sunday that Leonard would be out for the critical Game 4 with right knee inflammation. Frank said that it was an organizational decision. Leonard's inflamed knee is the same one he had surgically repaired a few years ago, which makes this whole process complicated, Frank said. Leonard missed the last eight games of the regular season and Game 1 of the Mavs series before returning for Games 2 and 3, but the pain will now force him to sit, and Frank has no idea when Leonard will be back.

The Mavericks lead the Clippers 2-1 in this first-round series, but the Mavericks won both games in which Leonard played.

According to Frank, it seems like there's a legitimate chance Leonard could be out for more than just this series.

But the Clippers have to make it past the Mavericks before they can worry about anything beyond that.