San Antonio Spurs swingman Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors tonight, head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters two hours ahead of tip-off, per Courtney Cronin of the San Jose Mercury News.

“Same, same,” Popovich said regarding Leonard’s status.

The Spurs will take a cautious approach, rather than slinging their talisman out on the floor, while he is still recovering from a left ankle injury that has sidelined him from a total of three-and-a-half games since first suffering the ailment in the dying stages of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets.

San Antonio will have the home court advantage, but a one-star disadvantage with the absence of The Klaw.

Article Continues Below
More San Antonio Spurs News
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) leaps into the arms of San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) after hitting a three point basket at the buzzer over Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) for the win in the fourth period at Chase Center.
Harrison Barnes’ blunt ‘luxury’ take on place among young Spurs coreHector Ledesma ·
Julius Randle playing for the Timberwolves. T-Wolves logo in background.
Ranking 3 best Julius Randle free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Cam Johnson number 2 photoshopped in Spurs jersey.
Spurs offseason trade proposal for Cam Johnson involving lottery pickBailey Bassett ·
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball
Knicks rumors: Bill Simmons floats blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo 3-team tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends against Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) at Footprint Center.
Spurs rumors: Shams hypes Giannis, Kevin Durant as possible trade targetsBenedetto Vitale ·
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Spurs rumors: When Victor Wembanyama is expected to be back from blood clot scareBenedetto Vitale ·

Jonathon Simmons is expected to get the starting nod once again, having filled in admirably by averaging 18 points per game through two starts.

The Spurs will also be without reserve forward David Lee after he suffered a knee injury early in Game 3 of the series upon landing after an and-one opportunity at the rim.

The team did not hold a shootaround prior to the game Monday despite facing an uphill battle, being undermanned and trailing 0-3 against a playoff-undefeated Warriors team in the Western Conference Finals.