When the LA Clippers released their official injury report for Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, Kawhi Leonard was listed as questionable with right knee inflammation. Although this was the official list from the team, all signs pointed to Leonard missing this game, and manager Ty Lue subsequently confirmed that the star forward would not play in the series opener.
Leonard, who has yet to make any contact in practice, has not participated fully in the team's practices leading up to the series opener, so it is highly unlikely that he will be ready to play by Sunday afternoon. Despite this, the Clippers listed Leonard as questionable, leaving open the possibility that he would play.
Ty Lue told reporters before Saturday's practice that he had already chosen a starter to replace Leonard in the event the star forward was unavailable, but he did not specify who that starter would be. Amir Coffey has made most of the starts this season in the absence of Leonard and Paul George, and P.J. Tucker has also gotten some minutes throughout the regular season.
If Lue wants to go a little smaller, Norman Powell and Russell Westbrook are also options, but it's a lethal bench tandem that he might want to keep.
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