Spurs go for 9th straight win, host reeling Kings on Wednesday

Tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs steals the ball and breaks away from Ben McLemore #23 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on October 27, 2016 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO – When the San Antonio Spurs take the floor tonight against the Sacramento Kings, Kawhi Leonard will not be able to improve his MVP resume because he will be sitting out the game along with LaMarcus Aldridge.

The official word from the Spurs is the two will be out for "rest."

Recommended Videos



Leonard deserves it. He has averaged nearly 41 minutes a game for the past three games that includes those two overtime games against New Orleans and Minnesota. He also averaged just over 34 points a game.

After Leonard's performance Monday that included that big three pointer with 24 seconds left and then the block of James Harden at the other end that lead to the Spurs 112-110 win over Houston, the MVP talk intensified.

"Don't know how they pick or chose it, just playing basketball trying to make my team the best team right now coming down this last stretch," Leonard said.

While he stays humble about his play and the MVP talk, at least one of his teammates is taking notice how his performance this year stacks up against the other players in the MVP conversation.

"Kawhi is very much deserving of getting the MVP this season," said Pau Gasol. "The way he is playing the way he is contributing at both ends of the floor, he is not the guy that just puts up 30 points and that's it."

Tonight will be the third time Spurs and Kings have played this year. San Antonio took the first two games.

Both times the Kings still had Demarcus Cousins but since then he has been traded to New Orleans.

With a win tonight the Spurs will have won 50 games for the 18th season in a row, the longest streak in NBA history. The Lakers are second with 12 seasons. 

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs are 2-0 against the Kings this season and won the past eight meetings.

2. Sacramento backup SG Buddy Hield is averaging 13.2 points on 52.8 percent shooting in six games since being acquired from New Orleans.

3. San Antonio SG Danny Green is just 12-of-46 shooting over the past seven games.


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.