Through the first half of the 2017-18 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs are currently 29-16 and they have played most of these games without Kawhi Leonard. In only nine appearances, Leonard is averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 23.3 minutes.
As the 26-year-old was looking forward to putting games together in the second half of the season, the Spurs have announced Leonard is out indefinitely with right quadriceps tendinopathy:
Kawhi Leonard Update: pic.twitter.com/2jb5svTAR2
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 17, 2018
Leonard originally missed the first 27 games due to the same injury before making his debut against the Dallas Mavericks. As head coach Gregg Popovich was slowly easing the two-time All-Star back with limited minutes and resting him, this is extremely unfortunate news for San Antonio.
As LaMarcus Aldridge held down the fort (22.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 33.7 minutes), it is no secret the Spurs need Leonard in order to compete with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference. Considered the best two-way player in the league, it is unclear when Leonard will return as Popovich and his coaching staff will need to rely on Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gay (when he returns from a heel injury).
Through the years, the Spurs have been resting players to keep them fresh during the 82-game grind, but this is their toughest challenge yet. Amazingly enough, San Antonio is on pace for 50-plus wins again, which would mark their 19th consecutive season of achieving this incredible feat. As the Spurs continue to win games, it will be interesting to see if Leonard is able to return at some point this season from right quadriceps tendinopathy.
Follow Us
Subscribe