Clippers star Kawhi Leonard exits game vs. Lakers over ankle soreness

Los Angeles Clippers All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard departed his team's 125-122 road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday with 5:10 remaining while dealing with left ankle soreness, the team announced.

Leonard finished with 31 points for his 35th consecutive game with at least 20 points.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue didn't sound overly concerned about the injury postgame.

"Kawhi's been dealing with some left ankle soreness, so it got stiff on him so we got him out," Lue said.

Leonard, who has dealt with chronic knee issues since joining the Clippers to start the 2019-20 season, missed 10 games earlier this season with ankle and foot injuries.

A seven-time All-Star, Leonard entered Friday averaging a career-high 27.8 points along with 6.4 rebounds in 42 games this season. In 14 NBA seasons, the two-time NBA champion has averaged 20.5 points with 6.4 rebounds in 775 games (746 starts).

-Field Level Media/Reuters