Los Angeles (AFP)

The NBA announced Thursday that it has fined the Los Angeles Clippers $ 50,000 for coach Doc Rivers about the reality of his star Kawhi Leonard's injury on Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"The NBA fined the Clippers $ 50,000 for statements, including those of head coach Doc Rivers, who were not consistent with Leonard's condition," said the disciplinary officials. the North American league in a statement released Thursday.

Placed on the list of injured, Leonard was left in the 129-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, broadcast by ESPN at the national level, but the 28-year-old winger then played 33 minutes (27 points, four assists and 13 rebounds) on Thursday night during the 107-101 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I think Kawhi said he never felt better, it's our job to make sure he stays, it's important, but he played a lot of minutes in play-offs. last year, "said Rivers after the loss to the Bucks.

"So it's not exactly a health concern, even if it's in some ways, we want him to continue to feel better and get better," the former coach continued in confused words. Boston Celtics.

"Following a further review of the Clippers' decision not to have Kawhi Leonard play in last night's game against Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA confirmed that the team's decision to rest Leonard to handle a injury was in line with league rules, "said the NBA release.

"The Los Angeles Clippers team correctly stated that Leonard was suffering from a chronic knee tendon injury and placed him on the injury protocol for the games played as a result. ", the text said.

Leonard, MVP of the 2019 NBA finals won with the Toronto Raptors, had only played four games in the San Antonio Spurs regular season 2017-2018 following a quadriceps injury.

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