Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers left the team in Denver to return to Los Angeles to be with his family, who were evacuated from their home in Pacific Palisades due to wildfires. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue expressed his full support for Leonard's decision, emphasizing the importance of taking care of family during such challenging times.
Leonard, who recently returned to the court after missing the first 34 games of the season following knee surgery, scored 12 points in a win against Atlanta and 10 points in a loss to Minnesota.
In a separate development, Denver Nuggets' star center Nikola Jokic was sidelined due to illness, missing both the game against the Clippers and a previous matchup against the Boston Celtics.
These absences underscore the unpredictable nature of the NBA season, where players and teams must navigate unexpected challenges both on and off the court. The well-being of players and their families remains a top priority, as demonstrated by Leonard's decision to prioritize his family's safety during the wildfire evacuation.
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