The San Antonio Spurs announced before Game 6 of their second-round series against the Houston Rockets on Thursday that All-Star Kawhi Leonard would not play. Leonard injured his ankle in Game 5 and did not play down the stretch in the fourth quarter as well as the entire overtime period.
With Leonard missing the game due to injury, the Spurs went with the “next man up” strategy and started Jonathon Simmons in place of their All-Star forward, and Simmons immediately made his presence known.
Catching a pass above the three-point line in the first quarter, Simmons sized up the Rockets' defense, trying to figure out his move with just eight seconds left on the 24-hour shot clock. Simmons though, reacted quickly and drove right down the lane, speeding past several Rockets defenders. The Spurs athletic wing then threw down an impressive two-handed slam.
Simmons' dunk gave the Spurs a two point lead over the Rockets midway through the first quarter. San Antonio grew that lead even more so and were up 61-42 at the half.
At the end of the first half, Simmons had 13 points, two assists, one steal, and just one turnover in over 18 minutes of play. The Spurs may be missing Leonard but Simmons has stepped up in Game 6.
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