The San Antonio Spurs and head coach Gregg Popovich are hardly shy about resting important players throughout the season in an effort to maintain their health for an inevitable playoff run.
But a trio of Spurs veterans who are dealing with legitimate injuries at the moment — Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, and Rudy Gay — will all sit out Friday’s road game in Toronto versus the Raptors, the team confirmed on Thursday:
Gay, who spent two seasons with the Raptors between 2012-14, has missed San Antonio’s last nine games as he deals with a right heel issue (note: Gay spent his off-season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot). Ginobili, 40, suffered his thigh injury on Monday night in Atlanta.
Leonard has been dealing with injuries all season long and missed the first 27 games of the season due to a quad issue. He returned for nine games, but then suffered what was called a “partial tear” in his shoulder on Jan. 7. Leonard played against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday and looked solid, posting 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals in just over 28 minutes of action.
But on Wednesday the team announced that they would sit him “indefinitely” due to lingering problems from his quad as he looks to work his way back to 100 per cent in time for the post-season.
Despite missing their best player for long stretches this season, the Spurs have a 30-16 record and are currently third in the West.
LaMarcus Aldridge, who has stepped up big in Leonard’s absence and has a shot at earning a spot in the all-star starting lineup (which will be revealed Thursday night), is expected to play.
The Spurs beat the Raptors 101-97 in their first meeting this season.
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