Kawhi Leonard’s return from ‘significant’ injury nowhere in sight as Clippers season turns ugly

Don’t plan on seeing Kawhi Leonard anytime soon — and it has nothing to do with his promotional duties for Aspiration.

The Clippers star has missed five straight games with a “significant” right foot sprain and a sprained right ankle and it will “take a little time” before he’s healed, according to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

“He’s making progress,” Frank said before Clippers’ sixth straight loss Wednesday, a 130-116 loss to the Nuggets. “When he sprained his ankle, it kind of triggered a mechanism in his foot. He is making really good progress. We will continue to treat him. … We probably will have a better feel for it next week.”

Kawhi Leonard watches a game on Nov. 8. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Leonard, a brilliant player when healthy, last played on Nov. 3 against the Heat, tallying 37 minutes in the 120-119 home setback that started this losing streak.

He has since seen three different doctors, according to Frank.

“Everyone has concurred in terms of what it is,” Frank said. “It is just going to take a period of time to get the inflammation down and then start to ramp back up on the court. So, he is doing two- to three-a-day treatments, and it is just going to take a little time.”

Leonard will travel with the team for its upcoming seven-game road trip, beginning Friday against the also-reeling Mavericks.

Leonard has missed five straight games. NBAE via Getty Images

The tough stretch also includes games, in order, against the Celtics, 76ers, Magic, Hornets, Cavaliers and Lakers.

The Clippers (3-8) began the year with high expectations, but losing Leonard has lowered the team’s ceiling and they also just lost guard Bradley Beal for the season due to a hip fracture.

Chris Paul has also been limited to eight games.

Leonard, 34, is averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists across six games.

The Clippers and Leonard entered this season shrouded in controversy amid reports alleging owner Steve Ballmer may have circumvented the salary cap by giving Leonard a no-show promotional gig with Aspiration to offset the money Leonard left on the table to leave the Raptors for the Clippers before the 2019-20 season.

Both the Clippers and Leonard have denied any wrongdoing.