San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Gay leaves Knicks game with heel injury

The San Antonio Spurs lost Rudy Gay, who left Thursday night’s game due to a potential injury.

For the majority of the 2017-18 season, the San Antonio Spurs had Rudy Gay healthy and available to play. Aside from missing a game or two, he worked as the sixth man, playing between 20-25 minutes per game, and as the team’s second-leading scorer.

However, things potentially trended down for Gay on Thursday night. This happened vs. the New York Knicks.

During the third quarter, the 11-year pro battled for the ball under his own basket. He jumped twice, landing on both feet, both times, but appeared to potentially injure his right foot. Gay hobbled off the court and went directly to the locker room. The team’s broadcast announced it as “right heel soreness.”

Rudy Gay (soreness right heel) will not return to tonight’s game.

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 29, 2017

There wasn’t a confirmation of the specific injury, but it didn’t appear to be good, given Gay’s quick signal to the locker room. It may scare Spurs fans, too, with this player’s injury history.

In January, as a member of the Sacramento Kings, Gay ruptured his left Achilles tendon. He missed the rest of the 2016-17 season, before opting out of his contract and receiving two years, $17 million from the Spurs in July. The second year was a player option.

Since Thursday’s injury impacted his right foot, it could be cause for relief. That’s despite it being an ailment from earlier this season.

Next: Top 25 players in Spurs history

This happened when San Antonio appeared to be healthy, as well. Kawhi Leonard was the only player held out vs. the Knicks, but due to “return from injury management.”

What’s next for Gay? Let’s find out.