San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard’s absence continues vs. Timberwolves

The San Antonio Spurs will not have Kawhi Leonard, again, despite the season winding down.
For all but nine games the San Antonio Spurs have not seen Kawhi Leonard in a regular-season game for 2017-18. The team still managed to sit near the Western Conference’s top, despite the late-season struggles that had them on the outside looking in, due to LaMarcus Aldridge’s play and the rise of youngsters Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes and Kyle Anderson.
Leonard was rumored to return Thursday vs. the New Orleans Pelicans. However, that did not happen, and the Spurs won their second consecutive game. The team did not offer an official timetable for his return.
The Silver and Black play Saturday, Mar. 17 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves, the latest playoff team on the schedule. It’s one that will not feature Leonard, again, due to the “return from injury management” label, the same label for most of the season.
Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) is out for tomorrow night’s Spurs-Timberwolves game. pic.twitter.com/sSnXsgU5op
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 16, 2018
Given the lack of updates on Leonard, it’s no surprise he will not suit up vs. Minnesota. At this point, it would not be a shock if he did not play for the rest of the season.
After Saturday’s game, just 12 remain for Leonard to return. Is that enough time to get on the court, work into the rotation and be part of a potential postseason roster? That will be the question with each game he misses. Especially if the Spurs continue to win games to close the season.
Next: Top 25 players in Spurs history
The Spurs and Timberwolves will go head-to-head at 8:30 p.m. ET.