SAN ANTONIO – Updated Tuesday at Noon:
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday that Kawhi Leonard will play against the Dallas Mavericks.
Pop told us Kawhi is playing tonight against the Mavs. #Spurs #KSATsports pic.twitter.com/r4fjXn0MLf
— Larry Ramirez (@LRam2) December 12, 2017
Original Story:
For the first time this year, the San Antonio Spurs have listed Kawhi Leonard as probable for Tuesday's game in Dallas against the Mavericks.
Leonard has missed a total of 35 games dating back to the 2016-17 NBA postseason.
Danny Green (tightness, left groin) and Kawhi Leonard (right quadriceps tendinopathy) are probable for tomorrow’s Spurs-Mavericks game. Kyle Anderson (left MCL sprain) is out. pic.twitter.com/ZprpaEbSAX
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 11, 2017
Center Pau Gasol gave little information on Leonard’s status during Monday's practice but did offer one golden nugget to the mystery of whether the Spurs superstar will make his season debut on Tuesday.
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. He’s traveling with the team and let's see if they make the call to clear him and play tomorrow,” Gasol said. “If it happens tomorrow, then great. If it happens the next game, then great; we’re just going to be excited to have him back and see how he feels."
With #Spurs Kawhi Leonard listed as 'probable' for his season debut in Dallas vs. #Mavericks, here's video (via @markmendez) of Kawhi draining buckets at today's (Monday) practice. STORY➡️https://t.co/XCCcLRj4vl #KSATnews #KSATsports #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/TCde4rIXZW
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) December 11, 2017
The Spurs also listed shooting guard Danny Green as probable for Tuesday's game after missing Saturday's game in Phoenix for tightness in his left groin.
On Dec. 1, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said Leonard had participated in two practice sessions of 5-on-5, according to a now-deleted tweet sent by Spurs play-by-play announcer Bill Schoening.
Pop today on Leonard's status, "He's had 2 sessions of 5 on 5. but we'll err on the cautious side- he's too valuable to bring back early." — Bill Schoening (@SpursRadio) December 1, 2017
Seven days later, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that league sources had told him Leonard was “targeting his return on Tuesday against Dallas.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is now targeting his return on Tuesday against Dallas, league sources tell @mikecwright and me. He has yet to play this season with a quad injury.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 8, 2017
Leonard has not suited up for the Spurs since Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Western Conference Finals, when he re-injured his left ankle on a controversial closeout play by Warriors center Zaza Pachulia.
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However, the injury that has affected Leonard and has prevented him from playing this season was due to a “right quadriceps tendinopathy” issue.
Move aside 'Grandpa Juice,' it's THE KLAW time! For the first time this year, #Spurs list Kawhi Leonard as PROBABLE for Tues. road game vs Dallas #Mavericks. Kawhi has missed a total of 35 games dating back to '17 WCF vs #Warriors. FOR MORE➡️https://t.co/XCCcLRj4vl #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/nAfLxlPycM
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) December 11, 2017
KSAT-12 has a crew in Dallas and will be live from the American Airlines Center beginning at 5 p.m., with tip-off against the Mavericks at 7:30 p.m.
Stick with KSAT-12 on-air and online for the latest Spurs news.
EMAIL: agarcia@ksat.com