Subscribe
Follow Us
Kawhi Leonard was his usual succinct self when asked about his status for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, now that the series has shifted to the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
“If I feel good, I'm going to play,” Leonard told reporters Friday, according to Melissa Rohlin of the San Antonio Express-News.
Leonard originally injured his left ankle in Game 5 of the prior series against the Houston Rockets, forcing him out of Game 6, where the rest of the team effectively closed out the series with ease. He then turned the same ankle twice upon his return, first by stumbling into his own bench following a corner three-point make, then soon after due to a negligent closeout by center Zaza Pachulia that undercut him and forced him to land awkwardly.
Upon his second ankle roll on Sunday, he shot and made his last two free throws, then exited the game for good at the 7:52 mark of the third quarter, missing the rest of the game as well as the entirety of Game 2, which his team lost by 36 points.
The Klaw has been diligent with his recovery and doing whatever is possible to get back on the court soon, testing his ankle in every possible way to see if he could be a go come Saturday night.
Article Continues Below
“Just seeing if I can run and at least be myself on the court,” he said. “Don't want to hobble around or shoot off-balance shots. Just want to be able to push with both legs. Just that, really.”
The 25-year-old kept mum about the actual chances of him playing, resembling the way the organization has treated the status of his injury throughout these playoffs.
“I mean, it's still not ready,” he said. “It's just questionable for tomorrow. I could be feeling way better.”
If Kawhi Leonard can play, even in a limited amount, the Spurs' chances to even the series would greatly increase in a gameplay and mental capacity in front of a rowdy and loyal home crowd behind them.
San Antonio trails 0-2 coming into Saturday's Game 3.
