Kawhi shocked NBA published details of knee injury

Los Angeles played without Leonard in their 129-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday due to what they called "load management (knee)", but coach Doc Rivers said before the defeat there were no concerns about his fitness.

While the NBA had no issue with the decision to sit the three-time All-Star against the Bucks, the Clippers were handed a $50,000 fine for Rivers' comments.

In a release confirming the sanction ahead of the Clippers' game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, the league revealed Leonard was suffering from "an ongoing injury to the patella tendon in his left knee".

"It was shocking, but it doesn't matter to me. I'm not a guy that reads the media anyway," Leonard, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds in a 107-101 victory over Portland, said of the content in the NBA's statement.

"We're gonna manage it the best way we can to keep me healthy and that's the most important thing moving forward."

Tonight @kawhileonard arrived to the arena wearing a t-shirt made by students as a thank you for the one million backpacks donated to LA and Moreno Valley schools. pic.twitter.com/O0oE82Z4ws

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 8, 2019

On the fine, he added: "That's just disappointing. It feels like they want players to play if they're not ready. But it is what it is.

"Like I said, I don't read into it. I've gotta do what's gonna make me healthy and what's gonna help the team be successful, and that's me being able to play basketball for us.

"That's not what the doctor's subscribing right now [playing in back-to-backs]. That's all I can say about it. We're gonna manage it and just keep moving forward."