Game day preview: Kawhi Leonard's status, injury updates & Spurs revenge

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and payback should be on the mind of every San Antonio Spurs player on this frigid New Year's Eve. The Silver and Black haven't beaten the Clippers since January 15, 2022 (8 games). That was three NBA seasons ago. Kawhi Leonard has been present for some and missing for others, but whether there or not, this team has been a nuisance for San Antonio.

They'll be without their superstar again tonight, while the Spurs will be at full strength again. San Antonio has had a relieving stretch of good health over the last couple of weeks, and it's been refreshing. Now that roles have been established, they'll need to settle into those spots and raise their chemistry. Meanwhile, the Clippers will be missing more than the Klaw.

Kawhi Leonard - Out (Knee)
Terance Mann - Out (Finger)
PJ Tucker - Out (Personal reasons)

Spurs need a win against the Clippers

San Antonio used to be the bully on the block in the NBA. They were nice guys in persona, but they dominated several teams. They had winning streaks in one way or another, saying this team hasn't won in San Antonio since X, or that team hasn't beaten the Spurs since X. It's been a while since that's been the case, and that's fine, but that doesn't mean it's okay to be on the other side of it.

Nobody should have an eight-game winning streak against our ball club. It's embarrassing. Especially when a handful of those games were lost without the opposing team's superstar on the court. The Spurs played the Clippers on November 4, and the result was frustrating for fans, so it had to be equally as aggravating for the players, if not more.

The Silver and Black were smashing the Clippers and ballooned the lead to 26 points before Jeremy Sochan injured his left hand. The Polish Prince was forced to leave the game as a +14 in 12 minutes of action, and the game flipped on it's head.

Norman Powell became unstoppable, and the Spurs' best perimeter defender wasn't on the floor to slow him down. The 26-point lead dwindled, and San Antonio lost the game by ten. Victor Wembanyama did his best to hold them back, dropping 24 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and nine blocks, but it wasn't enough.

The Clippers were the home team; they got the momentum, and they never relinquished it. Leonard didn't play in that game either, but SA didn't have Devin Vassell yet, either.

It feels appropriate to play this game on New Year's Eve. The Spurs can get a win and turn the page on a less-than-memorable chapter in team history as they shift to a future filled with possibilities with the playoffs within reach. It's a good thing San Antonio has a star with the longest wingspan in the NBA.