WASHINGTON – The San Antonio Spurs have mastered the art of managing minutes in the regular season to gear up for playoff success.
But in their first title defense since 2008, even Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan and the experienced Spurs have found it difficult to get their bearings.
The Spurs are 23-15, good for seventh place in the Western Conference playoff race. But they are three games behind sixth-seeded Dallas and haven't won three straight games in more than a month.
A litany of injuries has contributed to the sluggishness.
The Spurs announced Monday that Kawhi Leonard will sit out tonight's game against the Washington Wizards due to a bruised right hand. Marco Belinelli is listed as questionable due to a mild strain in his left groin.
Manu Ginobili, however, is listed as probable, despite dealing with back spasms.
After beating Minnesota on Saturday for their fourth win in five games, the Spurs said they needed to start putting things together soon.
The Spurs play at Washington at 6:30 p.m.