The San Antonio Spurs announced earlier today that Kawhi Leonard will be sitting out “an indefinite period of time” as the swingman continues his rehabilitation process.
The struggle continues for Kawhi Leonard and his 2017-18 season. The Spurs announced earlier today that Leonard will take to the sidelines for “an indefinite period of time” as he continues to rehab from the right quadriceps tendinopathy that has already kept him off the court for most of this season.
The injury has already limited the two-time Defensive Player of the Year to nine games of action this season and will add more DNP’s to his stat line for the foreseeable future.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford tried to put a positive spin on Leonard’s rehab in the team statement saying: “Kawhi has made significant progress and continues to move forward in his rehabilitation. This is the best approach for the next steps in his return to play.”
Leonard’s return after missing the first 27 games of the season was filled with frustrating ups and downs. He looked fantastic in San Antonio’s match-up with Denver on Saturday scoring 19 points on just eight shots to go with eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block in the Spurs’ lopsided victory.
According to coach Greg Popovich, he “didn’t feel right” while warming up for the Spurs contest with Atlanta two days later, and he was scratched from the lineup in favor of more rest.
“It hasn’t responded the way we wanted it to,” Popovich told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “He’s given it a shot. He’s frustrated as hell. He wants to play badly. But if we’re going to err, we’re going to do it on the side of health and being wise.”
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The Spurs continue to be the Spurs, even while missing their superstar for the majority of the year. They currently sit in third place in the Western Conference with a record of 29-16, one-half game ahead of the surging Minnesota Timberwolves.
Hopefully, Leonard’s health will improve in time for the playoffs, allowing for the Spurs to be at full strength in time for potential marquee match-ups in the loaded Western Conference.