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San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard returned vs. Mavs, and it was surreal

By Rob Wolkenbrod
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 27, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Kawhi Leonard made his official return to the San Antonio Spurs, playing in Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Before the San Antonio Spurs’ Silver and Black Scrimmage Game in September, the San Antonio Spurs announced Kawhi Leonard suffered a quad injury, which took him out of the preseason. 28 games later, he still had not returned to the lineup.

In the midst of this, there was speculation around when Leonard would return, along with an eye on any status update. Most of these didn’t provide new information, until recent news that Leonard eyed a return for Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Well, this came true, as Leonard came back for this game. It was on the road, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX, so the home faithful wasn’t there to greet him (unless you consider the fans that traveled). However, seeing the 26-year-old in any live game felt surreal, as he stepped onto the court and started Tuesday’s game and scored 6 early points.

Kawhi knocks down his first points of the season! #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/8fDxmN3XtZ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 13, 2017

With the Spurs’ superstar back, who knows how much further this team can go. They went 19-8 without him, including winning Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, with most of the veterans resting. LaMarcus Aldridge led the way in most of those 28 games, with team-highs in points and rebounds per contest. It could give him his first All-Star Game appearance in two years.

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Including Tuesday’s game, 54 remain on the Spurs’ schedule. That’s plenty of time for Leonard to make his mark and bring MVP-caliber play to the Silver and Black. Will he deliver upon return in Dallas?

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