Much like NBA fans, Kawhi Leonard’s teammates want to know more about his physical condition. Unlike fans, the San Antonio Spurs can ask him themselves.
The Spurs held a players-only meeting Saturday night during which they sought clarity over when the star forward might return from his long-term right-quadriceps injury, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The San Antonio Express-News’ Jabari Young reported Thursday, citing NBA Sources.
The reporters’ accounts of the Tony Parker-led meeting differ. Wojnarowski’s sources claim the scene was “tense” and “emotional,” with Leonard’s teammates imploring him to return for their playoff push. Young’s sources say the meeting caught Leonard off guard, and he offered no firm return date. They also add Leonard’s insistence that he’d only return when he feels healthy enough to do so was well-received by his teammates.
Leonard has missed all but nine games this season due to the injury, which reportedly has been a source of friction between the team and player.
Leonard said earlier this month he’s making “great progress” but refused to confirm when he’d return to the court, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said last month he’d be “surprised” if Leonard returned this season.
The Spurs currently occupy sixth place in the Western Conference playoff standings with 10 games remaining. They realistically can rise to third by the end of the regular season, and Leonard’s help would increase the chances of that happening.
Perhaps that’s all his teammates wanted him to know during their collective sit-down.
