Averaging 25.5 points per game last year, Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs to the second best record in the NBA. But Leonard went down in the playoffs against the Warriors, and went Leonard left the floor so did San Antonio’s chances. Up by 28 against the Warriors, the Spurs collapsed and lost the series to the eventual champion Golden State. This year looked early like it might be just as disappointing for the Spurs. Leonard hasn’t played a game yet, recovering slowly from a quadriceps tendinopathy. Worse for the Spurs, future Hall of Fame point guard Tony Parker had the same injury, returning just last week.
So what did Gregg Popovich‘s Spurs do — with no Leonard and no Parker except in the last three games? They went a very Spursian 16-8 and currently stand in third place in the Western Conference. Leonard has been practicing with the team for a week now. He’s expected back this month, though no one is sure when. Think of Kawhi Leonard as a big Christmas present to Spurs fans and his Spurs teammates, too. Like his newest teammate Rudy Gay, who’s averaging 12 points a game. Gay is one of ten Spurs averaging six or more points a game led by LaMarcus Aldridge with 22.8. Thirteen Spurs players are averaging 11 minutes or more per game.