Major key for San Antonio: Dealing without the Klaw
A season opener without your franchise player isn’t exactly ideal, of course.
San Antonio will go in to Wednesday’s game against Minnesota in exactly that predicament — and against a team that has upgraded dramatically this summer, the Spurs will need to find a way to overcome without Kawhi Leonard.
San Antonio Spurs
Coach Gregg Popovich didn’t put a timeline on Leonard’s injury, but did confirm he won’t play in the season opener when speaking with San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald.
"“I don’t gauge it,” Popovich said. “He’s still rehabbing, and when he’s ready, he’ll be ready. I try not to qualify it.”"
The Spurs, who have been seemingly forever known for their eye-catching basketball and ‘next man up’ mentality, will most likely plug new addition Rudy Gay into Leonard’s spot for the game.
Gay has a lot to prove in his first season in San Antonio while coming off a major injury and will have ample opportunity against the Wolves to show he has bought in to Popovich’s game plan come opening night.
The Spurs will need to find a quick and effective way to play without the ‘Klaw’, or they could see themselves having a rocky start to the season.