The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to turn over a new leaf during their seven-game road trip, after starting the season 3-8. They secured a win in their first game of the trip with a 133-127 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks, and now travel to face the Boston Celtics for a 3:30 p.m. EST tip-off.

For the Celtics, they've remained competitive this season, despite the absence of Jayson Tatum as he rehabs from a torn Achilles tendon. However, with a 6-7 record, there's still a chance they end up as a lottery team, and holding their first-round pick could incentivize them to stay there. As for Clippers, they don't own their pick, meaning winning is the only real option.

Kawhi Leonard Status

Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) on X The Clippers say Kawhi Leonard (right ankle sprain) will remain out for Sunday's game in Boston.

A major problem stopping the Clippers from winning games as of late has been the availability of Kawhi Leonard, who suffered an ankle sprain late during the team's 120-119 loss against the Miami Heat on November 3rd. While he did finish out the game, he's been sidelined for every contest since then, and that remains the case on Sunday afternoon.

On the Clippers' injury report, Leonard is once again listed as OUT, but is currently with the team on their seven-game road trip. He was seen running the stairs at the TD Garden ahead of the game, meaning his return could be coming within the next two games.

Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) on X Celtics face the Clippers at 3:30pm today Kawhi Leonard remains out with an ankle injury, but he’s running stairs here at TD Garden a few hours ahead of tip-off

Leonard has appeared in just six games this season for the Clippers, but has made the most of them, averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while boasting impressive shooting splits of 50.5/40.0/96.3. Leonard's on-court abilities have rarely been questioned in his career as one of the premier two-way stars in league history, but his availability has been his biggest weakness.

Throughout his 14-year NBA career, Leonard has appeared in 70 or more games just twice, and would have only qualified for regular-season awards just four times in his career under the new 65-game threshold. A two-time Finals MVP and one of the best defensive wings in league history, there's no telling how high of heights Leonard could've reached had he been healthy.

Law Murray ⛲️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) on X Kawhi Leonard remains out for Clippers Sunday at Boston Yanic Konan Niederhäuser will join Clippers after his G League stint

Regardless, the Clippers can't let Leonard's absence hold them back, especially with how James Harden has been playing over his last three games, averaging 33.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game.

Tip-off at the TD Garden in Boston is set for 3:30 p.m. EST, as the Clippers will look to improve to 2-0 on their road trip as they await the return from their star forward.