The Los Angeles Clippers (15-23) are on a hot streak with an 8-2 record over the last 10 games, but Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable with an ankle injury for Monday night’s game vs. the Charlotte Hornets (14-25).
Leonard leads the Clippers in points and steals per game, but he hasn’t missed a game since November 22.
Let’s look at the latest Kawhi Leonard injury update and how it could impact PrizePicks projections for Monday’s 10:30 p.m. ET tipoff for Hornets vs. Clippers
Kawhi Leonard Injury Update vs. Hornets Tonight
Leonard suffered his ankle injury on January 7 against the New York Knicks. Despite the setback, he’s appeared in the last two games with the same injury designation.
His minutes have slightly dipped to 29.5 per game over the previous two, compared to his season-long average of 34.0.
PrizePicks is projecting Leonard with 26.5 points and 6 rebounds for tonight’s clash with the Hornets.
Kawhi is averaging 27.8 points per game (PPG) and has reached at least 20 points in 20 consecutive games. According to Fantasy Labs, he leads the team with a 32.4% usage rate and 19.5 field goal attempts per game.
The Clippers average only 111.9 PPG (27th), so missing their leading scorer would be a significant blow.
Los Angeles SG Bradley Beal (hip), SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), and PF Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) are all out, as well. The three combine for 26.6 PPG.
The Clippers could be without four of their nine leaders in minutes per game on Monday. Which player could see increased usage due to injuries?
Clippers Impact If Leonard is Out vs. Hornets
Clippers PG James Harden sees the largest jump in usage rate when Leonard is off the court (+5.3%). During Kawhi’s 10-game absence in November, Harden averaged a whopping 32.0 PPG — smashing his season-long total of 25.6 PPG.
Additionally, the former MVP recorded 20.4 field goal attempts and 11.2 3-point shots per contest in the split. For context, Harden posts 17.1 shots and 8.9 attempts from beyond the arc per game on the season.
The Hornets cede 13.2 made triples per game (15th) and a 37.6% 3-point percentage (29th), giving Harden a favorable matchup from deep. If Leonard is held out tonight, backing Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer is an easy pivot.
PrizePicks has Harden projected for 25.5 points and 17.5 field goal attempts.
Kawhi Leonard vs. Hornets Projections, Picks
Here’s the latest projections for Kawhi Leonard vs. the Hornets on Monday, via PrizePicks.
- 26.5 Points
- 36.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 6 Rebounds
- 19.5 Field Goals Attempted
Make Monday NBA Picks on PrizePicks
While Leonard has played the last two games with an ankle injury, his status is still up in the air for Monday’s bout against Charlotte.
If the Clippers’ leading scorer is out, Harden could help pick up the slack — as we saw during Kawhi’s 10-game absence in November.
You can make your Hornets vs. Clippers picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
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