It’s easy to forget Kawhi Leonard played nine great games this season, because since October we’ve been almost constantly wondering if Leonard’s return to the court was right around the corner. This timeline on Kawhi’s season is quite a journey. This week we learned that Leonard has been medically cleared to play but remains out, apparently on the advice of a specialist unconnected to the team. We also heard Gregg Popovich say he doesn’t expect Kawhi to play again this season.
Kawhi Leonard’s lost season
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
As such, it’s a lost season for the Spurs, who remain quite good but have no real chance against the Warriors or likely the Rockets in the playoffs without Kawhi. San Antonio brought Pau Gasol back and Rudy Gay in for a run; it was for naught, at least this year.
Meanwhile, Kawhi is a free agent in 2019, and there’s been little indication that Leonard has a Duncanian lifelong commitment to Pop and the Spurs. San Antonio at least needs to be prepared to lose him in a year. This was not how things were supposed to go for Kawhi or the Spurs.
Of course, things could flip on a dime. Kawhi could come back next week, the Spurs could beat the Rockets and wear out the Warriors in the Western playoffs, allowing the Raptors to slip in and win a championship. (This is not a prediction, just a fever dream.)
Scores Galore ...
BKN 96, CHA 111
NYK 120, ORL 113
WAS 110, CLE 103
PHI 116, CHI 115
OKC 110, SAC 107
LAC 127, GSW 134
... And So Much More
That big NCAA basketball investigation has revealed that agents paid high-end players thousands of dollars in loans, or perhaps “loans.” Knock me over with a feather.
We have another player untying opponents’ shoes out here, folks.
Phenomenal anti-win for the Bulls, snatching crucial defeat from the jaws of victory.
Zach Lowe reports the NBA is currently considering proposals for a play-in tournament to decide the final two seeds in each conference. This would be pretty fun. Speaking of fun, here are Lowe’s 10 likes/dislikes of the week.
Bill Simmons writes about the real reason Michael Jordan retired the second time and why that means LeBron should join the Lakers.
Brooklyn is a half-game out from having the NBA’s worst record. Good thing the Cavs didn’t trade that pick!
Alex Wong on NBA players’ love-hate relationship with social media.
Can the Warriors flip the switch for the final third of the season? Does it matter?
On Friday ESPN has Timberwolves-Rockets at 8 p.m. ET and Mavericks-Lakers at 10:30. Saturday’s night ABC showcase is Thunder-Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET. ABC also has Spurs-Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, while ESPN has Sixers-Wizards at 8 p.m.
Be excellent to each other.
See More:
