Many thought that three full days of rest and a return home to San Antonio would be enough for Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard to give it a go after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, but coach Gregg Popovich announced Saturday morning that Leonard will sit out Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Kawhi Leonard will not play tonight, per Coach Pop
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2017
Leonard scored 26 points in 24 minutes of Game 1 of the series last Sunday, but exited after landing on Zaza Pachulia’s ankle in the 3rd quarter. The Spurs proceeded to blow the lead they’d built up to that point, and lost Game 2 with Leonard out as well.
The Warriors had been preparing to face San Antonio with Leonard on Saturday night, and Draymond Green told reporters Friday that he fully expected the forward to suit up, but Popovich told the media at Saturday’s shootaround that Leonard simply isn’t ready.
“In the end, I guess it’s my decision. He’s not thrilled that he’s not playing, but he’s not ready, so we’re not going to play him,” Popovich said.
Coach Pop & Danny talk Game 3: pic.twitter.com/ckYvQ6IZh8
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 20, 2017
The Warriors still have two players of their own with unclear injury statuses, as Pachulia has a heel contusion that caused him to leave Game 2 early and Andre Iguodala has a sore knee that held him out of Game 2 entirely. It’s possible both will play, but the team has not announced a decision one way or another yet.
The Leonard news is obviously rough for the Spurs, as one would assume San Antonio desperately needs the return of their recently-announced MVP finalist to have a shot to come back and win the series. But with Leonard out yet again, Saturday night will present a prime opportunity for Golden State to go up 3-0 and all but end the series.