Those who think that Kawhi Leonard returning to action for the San Antonio Spurs will help propel the team into the playoffs may have to temper their expectations.
Leonard is going to meet with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on Tuesday to decide when he is able to resume playing with the team. It may be on Tuesday against Orlando or Thursday against New Orleans. Whatever the case, Tony Parker cautions that this may not magically turn the team around.
“I saw reports that say he wants to come back Thursday, and that will be 14 games left,” Parker said Monday, via the San Antonio Express-News. “It is what it is. We will try to do our best… Hopefully, when Kawhi comes back he can helps us. We know it is not going to be easy because he hasn’t played for two months now.”
Leonard’s return will be a period of transition in two ways. For one, you’ll have Leonard trying to transition back into playing shape. On top of that, you’ll have a team that has been used to playing without him now integrating him back into the rotation.
The Spurs are in a three-way tie for the 8th spot in the West and have several tough games remaining on the schedule. The potential for them to miss the postseason entirely seems very real.
