Kawhi Leonard expected to play Game 1 vs. Golden State

He was not needed for the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night, but Kawhi Leonard is expected to be back for Game 1 against Golden State.

Heading into Game 6 Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs looked vulnerable with Kawhi Leonard (left ankle) out. But, as they stifled James Harden and coaxed an indifferent performance out of the Rockets’ MVP candidate, San Antonio easily advanced with a 114-75 win on the road.

The Spurs will now move on to the Western Conference Finals, against the well-rested Golden State Warriors. Leonard maybe could have played in Game 6 against Houston, and he suggested he would after being injured in Game 5, but all indications are Gregg Popovich made the decision Leonard would not play.

Having Leonard back for Game 1 against the Warriors on Sunday would obviously be important for San Antonio. With two more full days to get healthy, Leonard is in line to return to action quickly.

According to Michael C. Wright of ESPN, per sources, Leonard is expected to play in Game 1 against Golden State. In 11 games during these playoffs, Leonard is averaging 27.8 points (on 52.4 percent shooting), 7.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

Leonard’s Game 6 absence opened the door for Jonathon Simmons to start a playoff game, and the second-year man delivered nicely Thursday night with 18 points, four assists and one steal. That effort in a critical game stands to lengthens Popovich’s rotation in the Western Conference Finals, and beyond if the Spurs advance, with Simmons particularly proving himself to be a viable fill-in for Leonard defensively.

Next: 5 takeaways from the Spurs beating the Rockets

Leonard is the best two-way player in the league, and he will lead the way if the Spurs are able to pull a minor upset over the Warriors. If his left ankle and knee issues can be managed with an extra day of treatment and rest, Leonard will individually give Golden State all they can handle.