Zaza Pachulia denies he tried to hurt Kawhi Leonard

On the play that changed the momentum of Game 1, Zaza Pachulia is trying to deflect the idea he tried to injure Kawhi Leonard.

For most of Sunday’s Western Conference Finals Game 1, the San Antonio Spurs were in control. Then, with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter, Kawhi Leonard took a corner jump shot and landed awkwardly. Warriors’ big man Zaza Pachulia appeared to clearly step into Leonard’s landing area, thus helping to cause an aggravation of a previous left ankle issue for the Spurs’ best player.

Pachulia was whistled for a foul, and Leonard made both free throws before leaving the game. From that point on, the Spurs were outscored 58-33 in a 113-111 loss. Leonard is expected to undergo an MRI before his status for Game 2 is determined, but it’s safe to assume he won’t be operating at full capacity if he does play.

Pachulia is a player who sometimes operates on the fringes of the rules (see supposed screens he sets for teammates). But he has been quick to dismiss any suggestion he tried to hurt Leonard on Sunday.

It’s always tough to unequivocally determine intent, and Pachulia can pass off this situation as doing his job defensively by challenging the shot. For what it’s worth, Leonard has also dismissed that Pachulia committed a dirty play.

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From Gregg Popovich on down, the Spurs won’t blame Leonard’s injury for their Game 1 meltdown and loss. They also won’t point a finger at an opposing player for what the rest of the world may deem dirty tactics, presumably unless it’s blatant and without nuance. But there’s just enough doubt about what Pachulia did to invite scrutiny, whether he likes it or not.