The San Antonio Spurs entered Tuesday's contest against the Washington Wizards with an 88 percent chance of making the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight. That's not too surprising since the team earned 20-consecutive playoff berths headed into this season. However, it is impressive given the fact that this happened with their star player Kawhi Leonard only playing nine games this season.

Leonard finished top-three in regular season MVP voting the past two seasons. “The Claw” is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and the 2014 Finals MVP.

Still, the Spurs are in the fourth seed of the Western Conference at the moment. They suffered two consecutive losses after a six-game winning streak, including a 106-116 road loss to the Wizards without Leonard. San Antonio has since bounced back with impressive victories over the Thunder and the West-leading Rockets.

Nonetheless, with five games left in the Spurs' regular season, it is unclear if Leonard will return before or during the postseason. How far do the Spurs go if they get their best player back in time for a playoff run?

Kawhi's Injury

Kawhi Leonard
ClutchPoints

As recently as March 27, Popovich did not rule out Leonard returning in time for the playoffs. He said minutes and positions would change for people. Still, Leonard was ruled out of Tuesday's contest with what was called “return from injury management.”

On the other hand, Popovich and the Spurs have maintained that they will err on the side of caution with Leonard's recovery given his importance to the franchise.

However, his teammates seem frustrated with Kawhi's rehab. Manu Ginobili said he does not expect Leonard to return this year. Spurs guard Patty Mills said he hoped to get Leonard back, but they have to move on.

Additionally, Tony Parker said his quad injury last year was 100 times worse and he still played. The team reportedly had a players' only meeting regarding Leonard's return. Some Spurs players refuted that report.

This all comes after Leonard stepped away from the team to focus on rehab on Jan. 13. Leonard's injury has been diagnosed as anything from Tendinitis to a degenerative disease, per CBS Sports.

Leonard rejoined the team in late February. The target date to return from the quadriceps tendinopathy was mid-march, per the same ESPN report. It also was reported he had a setback in March and there is no definite timeline.

It's been an on-going drama for the Spurs and Leonard. Previously, reports said Leonard was distant and disconnected from the franchise. Some reports have said he wants out of San Antonio.

Regardless, getting Leonard back before the playoffs might reconcile all of that drama for the Spurs.

Theories about Leonard's Return

Kawhi Leonard

Either way, it's a weird situation for a team and player that are usually considered the class of the league. There are a ton of theories why we're suddenly hearing San Antonio's internal business.

Former Spurs star Sean Elliott said he has no reason to think Leonard isn't happy with the Spurs, per TMZ Sports. He said the city has been good to him and he has a great relationship with his head coach.

Another former Spurs player Stephen Jackson said he thinks that the players' only meeting came from Popovich. He said he does not think Parker would call out Leonard without direction from his head coach. Jackson also said it is not a coincidence that the meeting got out to the media either.

Fox Sports' Nick Wright echoed Jackson's statements. He said he believes Popovich is doing this to get Leonard to play and prove to himself that he is healed.

Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver joked that it could be LaMarcus leaking these rumors trying to force Leonard out.

The point is, everyone has an opinion on Kawhi's return except Leonard himself. Leonard has been relatively quiet throughout this entire ordeal.

Regardless, no two bodies are the same and nobody knows their body as the person themselves. If Kawhi isn't ready to return, why is there so much pressure for The Claw to return?

What does Leonard bring to the Spurs?

gregg popovich, kawhi leonard

After the Spurs' loss last Tuesday, their fifth straight road loss, Popovich said his team lacked a lot of things including mental toughness, communication and discipline.

He said the team is human, which is why they lost such a crucial game. They're even more human without Aldridge, who left the game with a knee contusion. Aldridge is averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in an All-Star year for San Antonio. He is having an underrated season after 67 games as the focal point.

Leonard can help replace the scoring void left by Aldridge, or he can add to it. The team is a top-10 scoring machine with Aldridge, per Bleacher Report. They go from a top-10 scoring team to a bottom ranked scoring team without Aldridge. Aldridge and Kawhi are an ideal one-two punch.

Last season, the Spurs were a top-two offense with Kawhi on the court. He ranked in the 72nd percentile for efficient isolation and the 87th percentile in spot-up scoring, per the same BR article. Leonard goes to the line more than LeBron James and dishes more assists per 36 minutes than Paul George too.

Leonard can also bring the mental toughness, discipline, and communication the team is lacking if he is healthy and dialed-in. In nine games this season, he averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. Those numbers are on par with Leonard's career averages. However, they are far from the 25.2 points, 3.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds the 26-year-old averaged in 33.4 minutes per game last year. Anyone who watched those games can tell you Leonard was not at 100 percent.

Still, they need Leonard in the lineup. San Antonio can only rely on an aging cast of veterans for so long. Parker is 36, Ginobili is 40, and Pau Gasol is 37. Those veterans are not reliable for entire playoff series anymore. Plus, Rudy Gay is a key reserve but he is only reportedly playing at 75 percent.

Even if Aldridge returns, his postseason struggles are documented. Last season, Aldridge averaged 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 16 playoff games. Those aren't bad numbers but they aren't where his regular season stats are. Aldridge as the best player wasn't enough for the Spurs to win a game after Leonard went down versus the Warriors last year, either.

Ultimately, Leonard brings the Spurs a legit No. 1 scoring threat, as well as someone who makes his team better. The offense took steps back as a unit this year without Leonard.

As a team, they are No. 17 in field goal percentage for the season. During the 2016-17 regular season, they finished seventh in percentage from the field. Last year, the team was No. 7 in offensive rating. This year, they are 17th in the same category.

Collectively, they were also 17th in three-pointers made a year ago. This season they're No. 28 in threes made. You can easily see the difference Leonard has on the entire offense.

Additionally, the two-time DPOY improves a team defense that is currently No. 3 in the defensive rating too. This allows San Antonio to double-down on a strength.

San Antonio's Playoff Picture

Gregg Popovich

How the Spurs fair in the playoffs depends on how they finish the season and what seed they place. That could change depending on how Kawhi Leonard heals and meshes with the team.

They had a 50-game home streak that was recently ended. Hence, San Antonio would benefit from a home series via a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

San Antonio still plays two playoff teams in their last five games. The Clippers are a third potential playoff team remaining on their schedule as LAC is in the tenth seed. Sacramento and the Lakers are the two Wild Card games remaining that the Spurs can't afford to lose. Unless teams start resting players for the postseason, there's a chance the Spurs won't have home-court advantage in this postseason. That's unlikely given the proximity of other playoff teams.

If the playoffs started today, the Spurs would face the five-seeded Thunder in the first round. But, if they fall back to number six, they could take on the Blazers. They are 1-1 versus them in the regular season so-far. Both games came were decided by a possession. This is probably the ideal scenario as the Spurs could hope that a hot Portland team will fizzle out versus a savvy San Antonio team defense featuring Leonard.

If the Spurs fall back they could face the two-seeded Warriors in the first round. San Antonio is 1-3 versus Golden State this year. Only the March 6 contest was close. The Spurs lost by three. Now, the Warriors have Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson nursing injuries. That might be perfect timing for the healthy Spurs to pounce on the Warriors. Remember, the Spurs were beating the Warriors in Game One of their playoff series last season before Leonard went down. Kawhi would give them hope versus the juggernaut Warriors.

Moreover, San Antonio could move up and play the Pelicans, or stay to face the Thunder. The Spurs are 1-2 versus the Pelicans with one more game remaining April, 11. The last two contests versus New Orleans were decided by five points for either team. Both teams have big players capable of spacing the floor but Kawhi would give San Antonio an elite wing player that the Pelicans could not match.

Versus Oklahoma City, the Spurs are 2-2 after winning their most recent matchup. Both teams won a game by three points but the last contest was a 10-point loss for San Antonio. Getting Leonard back gives them an elite defender to take away either Paul George or Russell Westbrook. That makes the first-round matchup versus variable Thunder team more manageable.

With a few playoff teams left on their schedule, the Spurs might even fall back into the eighth seed and face the Rockets in round one. They are 1-3 versus Houston this season after getting a win to wrap up the regular season series. Again, Leonard gives the Spurs a scoring and perimeter defender that can at least make soon-to-be MVP James Harden work in a series. Leonard's scoring with Aldridge and great team defense is San Antonio's best hope for scoring with the West's top team.

Anything can happen over the next couple of weeks because the Western Conference is still very close. Therefore, it should also be mentioned that the Spurs are 1-3 versus the Jazz, with the only win coming March 23 in overtime. They're also 2-1 versus the Timberwolves. Minnesota could get Jimmy Butler back any day which would cancel out Leonard's return. Versus Utah, Leonard might give San Antonio an added edge versus one of the league's best defenses.

How far can the Spurs go in the postseason with Kawhi?

kawhi leonard

Assuming Leonard is back to full strength, he gives San Antonio a top-5 elite player that is capable of taking over games. San Antonio would need to lean on their elite defense plus the one-two punch of Leonard and Aldridge. This at least matches elite players on other playoff teams. It might even give them an edge since few players match Leonard's versatility and two-way play.

Of course, that depends on when and if Leonard returns. Plus, what's the dynamics with his teammates after some might have called him out? Considering winning is the most important thing for the Spurs, I'd expect them to welcome Leonard. They realize he is needed as other postseason teams battle injuries and they battle their own.

Ultimately, the Spurs getting Leonard might not be enough to best the elite teams in the West. San Antonio would be lucky to make it out of the first round with or without Leonard, but they might not even get past the second round with The Claw. It depends on the health and consistency of other teams.

Even if the Spurs get out of the first round, can San Antonio's veterans last the postseason? That is a question they will have to answer with our without Leonard in the lineup.

As long as they have Popovich, San Antonio can compete with anyone, as they have shown all season. Getting their two All-Stars at full-strength only improves that.

If Leonard does return and Aldridge is healthy, I don't think there is a single Western Conference team that wants to see them in any round. They have the Championship pedigree to upset any team in the playoffs, especially with their two All-Stars in the lineup. There is a chance that the Spurs team attack and defense could upset any of those elite teams, especially if Leonard can closeout games with his scoring. Who knows, maybe a healthy and fresh Claw helps the Spurs get into the NBA Finals?

Again, it remains to be seen if Leonard returns before the playoffs or at all this season. Plus, his chemistry with the team is questionable with all of the injury drama. The Spurs appear unlikely to make the second round with the star power and offense of the Western Conference playoff teams.

Regardless, San Antonio is a tough first or second round opponent and that will only improve if Kawhi returns to the lineup. Leonard is the X-factor they need to get over the hump so it is no wonder his teammates are desperate to add him.

At the end of the day, the Spurs getting Aldridge and Leonard back to full strength is their only chance to contend with the elite Western Conference teams. Further, eliminating the limping Warriors team and unproven Rockets team opens up the entire bracket.

Leonard's next chance to return is on April 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The potential playoff matchup is the perfect place for Leonard to get acclimated to his team again before a postseason push. San Antonio can only go as far as The Claw can take them.