Kawhi Leonard has missed three games due to a partial tear in his shoulder, but the two-time Defensive Player of the Year isn’t concerned about the injury.
Following the San Antonio Spurs’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Leonard said he hopes to return soon and the injury is “nothing serious,” per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
And the Spurs are undoubtedly eager for him to be healthy.
Leonard has only appeared in eight games this season, and head coach Gregg Popovich carefully eased the small forward back into a regular role.
In each of Leonard’s first four appearances, he logged no more than 20 minutes. Although his workload jumped to an average of 28.5 over his next four outings, Leonard only played in consecutive games twice during that 24-day span.
So, just after the midway point of the season, Leonard has yet to consistently play at full strength for an extended period of time.
The Spurs are in no danger of missing the playoffs. But the longer Kawhi is sidelined or limited, the NBA world assuredly will begin wondering whether San Antonio should be worried about the postseason.