Kawhi Leonard has hinted at his imminent return to the court in a new commercial for New Balance. The ad, which features Leonard himself, has sparked excitement among fans, as it suggests that the LA Clippers star could be making his season debut soon.
In the commercial, Leonard is seen driving a convertible and listening to a radio announcer who mentions,
“Exciting news coming out of Los Angeles – Kawhi Leonard looks to be returning to the court pretty soon.”
Leonard then meets up with an alter ego of himself, who says,
“There’s been good days, there’s been bad days, but I keep coming back. It’s the nature of the game.”
Kawhi Leonard announces his return is coming soon in his latest ad with New Balance 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RnFKZYScJB
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) December 27, 2024
Leonard has been sidelined for the entire 2024-25 season due to inflammation in his surgically-repaired right knee. This same issue also kept him out for most of the Clippers’ playoff run last season and prevented him from playing for Team USA at the Paris Olympics last summer. However, recent reports indicate that Leonard has returned to full-contact 5-on-5 practice and is close to being game-ready.
While the Clippers have not confirmed an exact date, sources suggest that Leonard could make his season debut on January 4, 2025, in a home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team is taking a cautious approach, ensuring that Leonard is fully recovered before he steps back onto the court.
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from Clippers fans, who have eagerly awaited Leonard’s return. Despite his extensive injury history, Leonard remains one of the most dominant players in the game when healthy, and his presence on the court significantly boosts the Clippers’ chances of success.
