Kawhi Leonard, a Los Angeles Clippers player and Team USA forward, will not compete in the 2016 Olympics in Paris, authorities said Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard, 33, had been walking with a failing knee during Los Angeles’ first-round playoff loss to the ultimate Western Conference championship Dallas Mavericks.
“The organization and the Clippers decided that it’s in Kawhi Leonard’s best interest to utilize the rest of the summer preparation for the upcoming season,” according to a USA Basketball statement.
He appeared in Games 2 and 3 of the best-of-7 series, which Dallas won 4–2.
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Derrick White, a Boston Celtics guard, added to USA Basketball’s squad to replace Kawhi Leonard.
Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday are two additional championship Celtics players on Team USA’s roster.
The star-studded American team, led by all-time NBA scoring leader LeBron James and 3-point shooting great Steph Curry, will commence Olympic action against Serbia on July 28 in Lille.
The United States is aiming for a sixth consecutive gold medal. While the Americans are big favorites to win it all, several of the NBA’s finest players will compete in this tournament while donning non-red, white, and blue outfits.
Nikola Jokić, a three-time NBA MVP, has been selected to represent Serbia, whereas Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, will fight for Greece.
The most probable challenges to American hardwood supremacy, however, look to be Canada and the host France.
