No matter how short or how long the San Antonio Spurs’ playoff run goes, star forward Kawhi Leonard reportedly won’t be available for any of it.
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reported Sunday that Leonard will miss the entire playoffs as he rehabs his right quad, the same injury that has forced him to miss all but nine games this season.
“Leonard has been rehabbing in New York because that is where his medical staff is located, and he has not been cleared by his doctors, league sources said,” per Charania. “
Charania adds that time has run short for Leonard to make a comeback this postseason, that he “has made strides recently in training and is focused on regaining his full health,” per league sources.
On Sunday, Gregg Popovich wouldn’t really comment on any of this, instead deflecting the issue.
Any chance Kawhi rejoins the team during the series, Pop? Pop: "You'll have to ask Kawhi and his group that question."
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) April 15, 2018
At this point, it seems more likely that Leonard will be on another team in 2018-19 than it does for him to play a single minute for the Spurs this postseason. It’s been a very strange season for Leonard and the Spurs, and this summer will be even more interesting.