BREAKING: LA Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out for Game 3 vs. Suns

The Los Angeles Clippers will have to go into Game 3 of their playoff series against the Phoenix Suns without star forward Kawhi Leonard, according to an announcement from the team. Leonard, who is dealing with a right knee sprain, has already missed the first two games of the series, which are split 1-1.

The Clippers will undoubtedly miss Leonard's presence on the court, as he has been a key player for them throughout the playoffs. In the first round series against the Dallas Mavericks, Leonard averaged 32.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, leading the Clippers to a hard-fought victory in seven games.

However, the Clippers have shown that they can compete without Leonard, as they were able to win Game 1 against the Suns without him. They will likely rely on their other star player, Paul George, to carry the load in Leonard's absence. George has been playing at an incredibly high level in the playoffs, averaging 27.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the first two rounds.

The Suns, for their part, will likely be looking to take advantage of Leonard's absence and take control of the series. They have been playing some of the best basketball of any team in the playoffs, and their young stars, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, have been leading the way. If they can continue to play at this level, they could be a very tough team for the Clippers to beat, even without Leonard.

Ultimately, the Clippers will need to find a way to win without their star forward if they hope to advance to the next round of the playoffs. While Leonard's injury is certainly a setback, they have shown that they are capable of overcoming adversity and competing at a high level. Game 3 will be a crucial test for them, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to the challenge.