Clippers star Kawhi Leonard says it was ‘shocking’ NBA fined the team

Over the last few days, there has been much chatter surrounding the L.A. Clippers’ decision to sit star forward Kawhi Leonard for a second straight nationally-televised game within a week.

The NBA had initially backed the Clippers’ move to sit Leonard to resist his nagging knee injury. However, it decided to fine head coach Doc Rivers and the team. Following Thursday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Leonard voiced his disappointment over the situation, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

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“I mean it was shocking, but it doesn’t matter to me,” Leonard said when asked what he thought about the NBA revealing details about his injury. “I’m not a guy that reads the media anyway. We’re going to manage it the best way we can to keep me healthy and that’s the most important thing, me being healthy moving forward.”

The Clippers had stated before the season that there was no load management plan laid out for Leonard this season. However, it has become evident that the team needs it to keep him fresh. There was even a report to surface on Friday where a doctor suggested that he not play back-to-back games until further notice.

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L.A. is operating in the manner of the long-term vision of competing for an NBA title. Obviously, having a healthy Leonard leading the charge will be critical to that. There will be those that will be upset by the continued plan of action of resting Leonard, but it’s something that he needs to stay healthy over the long haul of a season.