Kawhi Leonard, John Collins avoid injuries, to play against the Lakers despite a terrible collision

The LA Clippers just won Kawhi Leonard returned from a 10-game absence with a sprained ankle, which was much needed given their recent luck with injuries. He turns on a teammate for a moment John Collins during Sunday night’s contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it looked like his comeback would be short-lived.

During the fourth quarter of the Clippers’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Leonard and Collins collided in a defensive possession that saw both men stumble and grab their knees.

Kawhi Leonard quickly exited the game after the ensuing possession, sat down on the bench and immediately began testing his knee. He even stood up next to the bench and began mimicking his explosive box-jump form as part of the process.

Leonard was ready to return to the game a minute later, but at that point, Tyronn Lue and the Clippers had already waved the white flag on the game.

Here’s the terrifying collision between Kawhi Leonard and John Collins in the 4th quarter of Clippers-Cavs on Sunday.

Not even in the injury report for today’s game. https://t.co/DZ6iP2cJRz pic.twitter.com/m4kABJA4Cv

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 25, 2025

In his first game back, Kawhi Leonard finished with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals in 26 minutes of action. The Clippers forward shot 6-of-13 from the field, 3-of-5 from three and 5-of-5 from the free throw line

After the game, Leonard confirmed that he feels fine, but it’s something he’s done in the past regardless of the cuts and bruises he sustained during the game.

“Good, good. I felt good there,” Leonard said. “We know what we have to do, so we just have to go out there and do it.”

The good news is that the Clippers are official published an injury report on Monday, and did not list Kawhi Leonard or John Collins with any type of injury. That means both players are expected to suit up and start for the Clippers in an NBA Cup game against the team Los Angeles Lakers.

Bogdan Bogdanović is DUPITE for the Clippers tomorrow with a left hip contusion.

Kawhi Leonard is not listed on the injury report and is expected to play against the Lakers. https://t.co/pLhuEiJOll

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) November 25, 2025

DeAndre Ayton, however, will be out Tuesday night with a knee contusion he suffered in the Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz over the weekend.

In seven appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 23.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.6 steals per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from three and 96.9 percent from the free throw line.