Kawhi Leonard will not participate in this summer’s Olympic Games.
It is a major setback for Team USA, which is hoping for the gold medal in the French capital this summer.
Celtics guard Derrick White is reportedly set to replace Leonard.
Leonard has been battling injuries, and an injury to his right knee kept him sidelined during the NBA playoffs.
He was seen limping slightly after training last week, but was a full participant in the team tour on Tuesday.
Kawhi Leonard will not compete in this summer’s Olympic Games, it has been announced
Leonard said after the tour that he will be “well” prepared for Wednesday night’s practice match against Canada.
But 24 hours later, the decision was made that Leonard would skip the Olympics and instead focus fully on his health for next season with the Clippers.
A statement said: ‘Kawhi has been preparing for the Olympics over the past few weeks and has had some good training in Las Vegas and felt ready to compete.
“However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers have decided that it is in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than competing in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
More to follow.