Spurs F Leonard again rehabbing injury in New York
San Antonio Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard is once again rehabilitating his injured quadriceps in New York with outside medical personnel, ESPN reported Saturday.
Leonard arrived in New York on Monday and has been working out at the gymnasium inside the headquarters of the NBA Players Association. He also made an extended trip to New York earlier this year as he attempts to heal a troublesome right quadriceps that he hurt in October.
The Spurs reportedly sent team staff members to New York to monitor Leonard's progress. However, time is running out for a return in the regular season with San Antonio down to six games to play.
The two-time All-Star has played in just nine games this season with his last appearance coming on Jan. 13. He is averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.
The season-long drama regarding Leonard's health has left a lingering cloud over a franchise that needs to win its final six regular-season games to stretch its streak of 50-win seasons to 19.
Leonard's use of outside doctors reportedly irritated the Spurs and has prompted speculation regarding Leonard's long-term future with the club.
Leonard said on March 7 that there is no friction between himself and Spurs' management.
Leonard showed up for a team picture on March 17 and the other San Antonio players held an impromptu meeting with him. Several players quizzed him about the injury situation and the next day, veteran guard Manu Ginobili told reporters, "he is not coming back."
The atmosphere is so tense that when Ginobili and Patty Mills were lavishing praise on All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge for playing two days after a knee injury earlier this week, many observers felt the duo were also taking backhanded shots at Leonard.
Also, veteran point guard Tony Parker, who returned from a more severe quadriceps injury suffered in last season's playoffs, also has made critical remarks.
"I've been through it," Parker said recently. "It was a rehab for me for eight months. Same kind of injury, but mine was 100 times worse, but the same kind of injury. You just try to stay positive."
Added up, the playoffs are about to commence and San Antonio has no clue whether it will have the services of the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
--Field Level Media