Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard is out for Sunday's playoff Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Head coach Tyronn Lue announced the news in the hours leading up to the game. Leonard has been dealing with knee inflammation and was questionable prior to being ruled out.
The injury has sidelined Leonard since March 31, and he missed the Clippers' final eight regular-season games. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank held out hope on Thursday that he might be able to play Sunday.
“Progress has been made but the inflammation needs to continue to reduce so he can do functional basketball movements,” Frank told reporters.