August 12, 2021 to a max four-year, $176.3 million contract with the fourth year being a player option. Leonard remained inactive the entire season after recovering from his partial tear the ACL in his right knee. Without Leonard, the Clippers finished the season 42–40 and qualified for the play-in tournament, but failed to qualify for the playoffs after being defeated by both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans. 2022–23: Return from injury Leonard made his return from injury on October 3, 2022, putting up 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 102–97 preseason win over the Trail Blazers. On October 20, Leonard made his regular season return, logging 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists off the bench in a 103–97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. On December 5, Leonard put up a game-winner in a 119–117 win over the Charlotte Hornets. On December 12, Leonard recorded 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and six assists, as the Clippers beat the Boston Celtics 113–93. On January 10, 2023, Leonard scored 33 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 3-of-5 from three and 12-of-12 from the free throw line, along with nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in an 113–101 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On January 20, Leonard scored a then season-high 36 points on 13-of-18 shooting, 4-of-5 from three and 6-of-6 from the free throw line and delivered seven assists in an 131–126 win over his former team, the San Antonio Spurs. On February 14, Leonard scored 33 points, tying his career high with seven three-pointers in a 134–124 win over the reigning champions Golden State Warriors. He was 12-of-17 from the floor, 7-of-9 from the three-point range and made both of his free throws in 34 minutes. On February 24, Leonard scored a season-high 44 points on 16-of-22 shooting, 6-of-9 from three, 6-of-6 from the free throw line in a 176–175 double overtime loss against the Sacramento Kings. It was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Player profile Standing tall and weighing , Leonard primarily plays as a small forward. Leonard is regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, thanks to his combination of athleticism, size and intelligence. Highly versatile, he is capable of guarding at least three positions, and has frequently been deployed against the opposing team's star player. Known early in his career primarily as