Kawhi Leonard's status is upgraded for the first time since last week.
The Los Angeles Clippers could get a major boost for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, as Kawhi Leonard has been upgraded to questionable after missing the last three games with a left knee contusion.
The Clippers (19-24) will host the Lakers (26-16) at Intuit Dome at 10 p.m. ET in a matchup that might have significant playoff implications for both teams down the line.
After a brutal 6-21 start to the season, Los Angeles has turned things around in a big way and have won 13 of their last 16 games, climbing back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
Kawhi's Potential Return Changes Everything
Leonard suffered the knee contusion on January 10 against the Detroit Pistons and played through it for a couple of games before being shut down for the team's road trip.
The two-time Finals MVP was sent home to get treatment for the knee irritation, and now he could return for Thursday's rivalry matchup.
When Leonard has been on the floor this season, he has been one of the best players in the league, averaging 28.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a league-leading 2.2 steals per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
The Clippers are 7-1 in their last eight games with Leonard in the lineup, with six of those wins coming by double digits.
In the first meeting between these teams on December 20, Leonard finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks as the Clippers won 103-88.
The difference between having Leonard available and not having him is night and day for Los Angeles.
Without him earlier this season, they went 2-8 during a 10-game absence, and the offense struggled to find consistent scoring outside of James Harden, who is averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 assists per game this season.
Full Injury Breakdown for Both Teams
The Clippers will be without several players regardless of Leonard's status, as Bradley Beal (left hip fracture), Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hamstring), Derrick Jones Jr. (right knee sprain) and Chris Paul (not with team) have all been ruled out.
Beal's hip fracture ended his season back in early November, and Paul is dealing with a personal matter away from the team.
On the Lakers' side, Austin Reaves remains out with a left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day, and the team has been dealing with injuries throughout the entire season.
Rookie forward Adou Thiero is also out as he recovers from a right MCL sprain.
The good news for the Lakers is that both LeBron James and Luka Doncic are expected to play without restrictions after the team picked up a big 115-107 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, during which Doncic posted 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
What's at Stake Thursday Night
The season series between these two rivals is tied at 1-1, so Thursday's game could go a long way toward determining the tiebreaker between them as the playoff race heats up.
The Lakers currently sit fifth in the Western Conference, while the Clippers have climbed all the way up to tenth after their hot streak.
If Leonard is cleared to play, the Clippers will have a real chance to knock off their cross-town rivals and continue their climb up the standings.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year's presence on both ends of the floor changes the entire dynamic of this matchup, and his ability to guard the opposing team's best player while also creating offense is something the Clippers have sorely missed during his absence.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Intuit Dome.