Gregg Popovich said Wednesday that he’d be “surprised” if All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard played again for the San Antonio Spurs this season.
According to ESPN: After spending 10 days before the All-Star break in New York consulting with a specialist to gather a second opinion on his right quad injury, All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard bears the burden of determining when he’s prepared to play again.
Leonard has been medically cleared to return from the right quad tendinopathy injury, but since shutting down a nine-game return to the Spurs that ended Jan. 13, he has elected against returning to the active roster, sources said.
Away from the Spurs to pursue second opinions in New York, Leonard recently utilized the gymnasium inside the National Basketball Players Association headquarters in Manhattan for workouts, league sources told ESPN. The Spurs had team personnel accompanying Leonard in New York, sources said.
If Leonard’s quad still isn’t quite right, there are lingering concerns that coming back now could cause some long-term damage. There are also rumors of a strained relationship between Leonard and the organization.
Leonard, who finished third in last year’s MVP voting, has missed all but nine games this season due to a lingering injury.
