NBA | Kawhi Leonard unlikely to return for targeted Spurs-Pelicans game

Kawhi Leonard was reportedly targeting Spurs-Pelicans on Thursday for his return.

Alas, it probably won’t happen.

Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:

Sources: San Antonio star Kawhi Leonard is expected to remain out through Thursday’s game against New Orleans. He plans to continue evaluating the quadriceps injury for a hopeful return.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 13, 2018

We’ve already been here before, Leonard missing his targeted return date. For all the progress made, this injury remains vexing.

San Antonio (37-30, in a three-way tie for eighth in the Western Conference) is facing razor-thin margins in the playoff race. The Pelicans are one of the teams the Spurs are trying to catch, and so are Saturday’s opponent, the Timberwolves. And who knows how long Leonard will need to acclimate once he returns?

That process can’t start soon enough for San Antonio, but apparently it won’t begin Thursday.

(NBC SPORTS)