“Different,” he said. “Everything structurally is in a really, really good place. So this is just, like I said, it’s just some very, very stubborn inflammation.”

Leonard last played March 31 at Charlotte. When the Clippers arrived in Sacramento for the next game, he complained about his knee being sore. He hasn’t played since, now going on about three weeks.

Frank said they are taking it slowly with Leonard to make sure the knee is sound.

“You get through the steps of where the swelling is at an acceptable level and then you start the ramp up,” Frank said. “You do some exercises in the performance room, you start doing court work and then where you get to a point where you’re able to go full-speed, contact-type work.”

The Clippers will take Friday off and then have a light practice Saturday before Sunday’s 12:30 p.m. game at Crypto.com Arena.

So, Frank was asked, is it possible for Leonard to be healthy enough to play with so much limited practice?

“Yeah, it’s Thursday though, right?” Frank said. “So, in terms of based on where we’re heading, is it possible he could play? Sure, it’s possible. It’s Thursday. And like I said, with each day we’ll know more and more …

“I think with it is you start with on-court work and then you continue to build up on it and you get to a point where both from first Kawhi’s standpoint and then from a medical standpoint, we are comfortable where he can play in a high-level playoff game that we all know the intensity level that’s required in those games.”

Leonard played 68 games this season, leading the Clippers in scoring by averaging 23.7 points per game.

He averaged 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists and shot 52.5% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range.

Frank was asked how Leonard is dealing with the setback.

“Oh, he’s a very, very strong-minded guy,” Frank said.

“... So, he just channels his energy, all his energy into what he can control and puts 24/7 into whatever he can do to help reduce the inflammation.”

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