Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA for Paris Olympics

Kawhi Leonard will not compete at this summer's Olympic Games.

It comes as a bitter blow to Team USA as they look to win the gold medal in the French capital this summer. 

Celtics guard Derrick White will be replacing Leonard, according to reports.

Leonard has struggled with injuries and a right knee issue kept him sidelined during the NBA playoffs. 

He was seen limping slightly after one practice last week but was a full participant in Tuesday's team walk-through.

Kawhi Leonard will not compete at this summer's Olympic Games, it's been announced

USA will still have a star-studded roster as they seek a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal

Leonard said after that walk-through that he'll be 'good' for Wednesday night's exhibition against Canada. 

But, 24 hours later, the decision has been made for Leonard to skip the Olympics and instead fully focus on being healthy for next season with the Clippers. 

A statement read: 'Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas. He felt ready to compete. 

'However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it's in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.' 

The two-time National Basketball Association champion averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 68 regular season games for the Clippers during the 2023-24 campaign.

It marked the first time the Leonard reached the 60-game mark in a season since the 2018-19 campaign he spent with the Toronto Raptors.

In Paris, where the men's basketball tournament begins on July 27, the Americans will still have a star-studded roster as they seek a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Team USA will face Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico in the group stage.