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Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard won’t play in Game 5 vs. Jazz because of knee injury

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard holds his knee after stepping awkwardly during the second half against Utah.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
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Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals tonight against the Utah Jazz because of a right knee sprain, the team said Wednesday morning.

Leonard sustained the injury late in the Clippers’ blowout Game 4 win, which tied the series at 2-2.

There is no timetable for his return, the Clippers said.

Leonard, who was named first team All-NBA earlier in the day, was not on the Clippers’ injury report Tuesday.

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Leonard and Paul George each finished with 31 points Monday during the Clippers’ 118-104 victory, which was punctuated by an emphatic dunk by Leonard over Jazz guard Derrick Favors in the second quarter.

The Clippers, a franchise that never got its act together for a legitimate title run, appear on the verge of taking the next step to greatness.

Leonard appeared to tweak his right knee with more than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but responded “I’m good” when asked about his health during a TV interview after the game.

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