The San Antonio Spurs have announced that they're shutting down All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard for an "indefinite period."
Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season due to tendinopathy in his right quadriceps. Just nine minute-restricted games into his season the Spurs have now decided to put Kawhi back on the mend until further notice.
Gregg Popovich spoke about the issue during today's shootaround, prior to tonight's game against the Brooklyn Nets.
"It hasn't responded the way we wanted it to," coach Gregg Popovich told the Express-News after the team's morning shootaround in Manhattan.
"He's given it a shot. He's frustrated as hell. He wants to play badly. But if we're going to err, we're going to do it on the side of health and being wise."
In addition to his ailing right quad, the 27-year old forward also sustained a partial tear in his left shoulder a week ago, though the decision to shut him down indefinitely stems solely from quad injury.
Spurs GM RC Buford released the following statement regarding todays news,
"Kawhi has made significant progress and continues to move forward in his rehabilitation. This is the best approach for the next steps in his return to play."
Even without Kawhi for much of this season, the San Antonio Spurs have still managed to go 29-16, which has them sitting in third place in the Western Conference. San Antonio will take on the Nets at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn tonight, followed by a trip to Toronto to take on the 29-13 Raptors.