With Kawhi Leonard’s status in doubt, Spurs will need LaMarcus Aldridge to be elite in Game 6

For a few precious moments in the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 on Tuesday, it seemed like the San Antonio Spurs’ postseason dreams were about to evaporate.

Led by James Harden, Houston’s offense was clicking in San Antonio and a lot more troubling for the Spurs, Kawhi Leonard had landed on the Rockets All-Star’s foot causing his ankle to turn. Leonard limped to the bench, tied his shoes tighter and then went back into the game. But Leonard just didn’t look right and his ankle injury clearly affected how he played. His injury was so bad that Leonard didn’t play in the final moments of the fourth quarter and for the entire overtime.

Yet, the Spurs are an extremely well-oiled machine, so others stepped up.

A clutch 3-pointer from Danny Green and a block from Manu Ginobili sealed the 110-107 overtime victory for San Antonio. Now the Spurs head to Houston with the golden opportunity to close out the series and take on the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. There is one concern though — Leonard may not play.

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Despite his insistence that he will be on the court, Leonard is listed as questionable for Game 6. The Spurs always look at the long-term so there is a legitimate chance that Leonard may not play. And if that does actually happen, who will step up for the Spurs in his absence?

As they showed in Game 5, the Spurs are deep and anyone from Jonathan Simmons to the elder statesman in Ginobili could make an impact. However the one Spur that has to likely shoulder the burden if Leonard doesn’t play or is even limited by his injury, is LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge has been rather inconsistent this postseason. One game he will look like the five-time All-Star that is one of the better power forwards in the league — in Game 3 against the Rockets, Aldridge was sensational, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks. And then he will have games, where he is simply unnoticeable. Against the Rockets, this has seemed to be the norm for Aldridge.

Through San Antonio’s 11 playoff games, Aldridge is averaging a career-postseason-low 15.3 points and just 7.6 rebounds (only 4.8 per game are defensive boards). He is shooting a solid 45 percent yet Aldridge’s effective field goal percentage is the worst in the playoffs of any player with at least 50 attempts. Aldridge is also averaging just a block a game, which seems ludicrous since he often anchors San Antonio’s defense in small lineup situations and is nearly 7-feet tall.

Just against the Rockets, Aldridge’s numbers aren’t that much different. He’s averaging 15.8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.8 blocks. He’s shooting 44.7 percent and is averaging 15.2 shots a game.

These are all fine numbers, the main issue though is that Aldridge is labeled at the Spurs’ No. 2 guy, someone who is there to provide yet another All-Star threat alongside Leonard. But really it has been all Leonard. He’s been doing the heavy lifting. Aldridge on the other hand, is offering Leonard only partial assistance throughout the playoffs.

Specifically against the Rockets, Aldridge has also struggled on defense. Houston loves to put Harden in pick-and-roll situations and Aldridge is not quick enough to adjust to the Rockets’ relentless offensive attack.

So all of this doesn’t paint a pretty picture for Aldridge and it brings up the question, can he truly step up for the Spurs against the Rockets?

Judging by his past history, there is evidence that Aldridge can deliver for the Spurs. Sure he is dealing with knee soreness but Aldridge showed in Game 3 that he can power through and make a difference. Aldridge was aggressive in that game on both ends of the floor and he looked like the player that Leonard could count on to be his right hand man. Aldridge’s aggressiveness though, is all on him and is the key factor to his play.

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If Aldridge comes out flat offensively, than his overall game will struggle. Even if Leonard plays, Aldridge needs to assume a greater role right from the start and use this mentality to drive his performance. If his offense is clicking that will make Aldridge more committed and engaged on defense. If this doesn’t happen and Aldridge appears gassed and flustered (like he did at times in Game 5) then that makes the task ahead that much difficult for the Spurs.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Rockets will definitely be playing with a sense of purpose in Game 6. The Spurs need Aldridge to do the same.