Report: Spurs forward David Lee diagnosed with partially torn patella tendon

The San Antonio Spurs lost another player to injury Saturday night, and David Lee is likely done for whatever’s left of the season.

The San Antonio Spurs managed to hang tough on Saturday night, but the Golden State Warriors still won Game 3 by 12 points. Especially without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, the Spurs just don’t have the firepower to hang with Golden State. A sweep seems inevitable, even if Leonard is able to return for Game 4 Monday night.

In the first quarter of Saturday night’s game, Spurs forward David Lee landed awkwardly after being fouled on a layup and injured his left knee.. He was unable to go to the foul line, and had to be taken to the locker room in a wheel chair. Lee was automatically ruled out for the rest of the game, and his status going forward was immediately in doubt.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Lee was slated for an MRI on Sunday, but there is already a diagnosis being offered.

According to Shelburne and colleague Michael C. Wright, Lee has been diagnosed with a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee. Sunday’s MRI is expected to confirm it, but the optics of Lee’s departure from Game 3 suggests he will not be playing anytime soon.

Lee is averaging 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds over 16.3 minutes per game in these playoffs. Davis Bertans played 20 minutes in Game 3, so he is in line for more playing time with Lee out. Pau Gasol came off the bench Saturday night, with a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in 21 minutes, and he is also in line for more action in a do-or-die Game 4 for San Antonio.

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A partial patella tendon tear leaves open the possibility, however faint, that Lee could play in a potential Game 5. But there’s nothing to gain by forcing him back into the lineup at less than 100 percent, and Lee should be declared out for whatever’s left of the Spurs’ season fairly quickly.