INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Kawhi Leonard is out for the remainder of the preseason and his status for the LA Clippers' season-opening game on Oct. 23 remains uncertain.

Clippers coach Ty Lue confirmed Monday that Leonard will not play in the team's preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Leonard has not been fit this preseason, missing the first three games and Monday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Intuit Dome because of inflammation in his right knee.

“Continue rehab,” Lue said when asked about Leonard’s plan for this week. “It keeps getting better. Keep checking the boxes.”

Leonard did not participate in contact drills in training camp as the team was cautious with its franchise star. Lue said Leonard completed exercises to strengthen his knee.

Leonard missed the final eight games of last regular season and played only two games because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee in a six-game postseason loss to Dallas in the first round.

Leonard and the Clippers have undergone various medical treatments to control the inflammation since the end of last season. The All-Star said at the start of camp that he was much more confident that he and the medical staff had the illness better under control.

While Leonard said he's feeling much better now, the two-time Finals MVP said he wants to make sure he's available late in the season and doesn't have to deal with the nagging inflammation in his knee, which he had surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament and its meniscus.

President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said before camp began that Leonard still had inflammation in his knee and that the team wanted to be as safe as possible and keep Leonard out of contact drills.

When asked during the Clippers' preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Hawaii on Oct. 5 if he had to play in the preseason to compete in the season opener, Leonard said there's always “a buildup … especially in the season.” “ give position that I am in.

Whenever Leonard returns to the court, he and the Clippers will have to figure out the best way to keep him healthy long-term, including potentially missing consecutive games.

“I feel good,” Leonard said Oct. 5. “I just took my time, got stronger and prepared.”

“We're just taking it slow, day by day, and just trying to get me back on stage. Once those conversations come, we'll see what they talk about (about the best approach for back-to-backs). .”

The Clippers will play the Phoenix Suns in the first basketball game of the regular season on October 23rd at the Intuit Dome.