Report: Leonard targeting return Saturday vs. Suns
Kawhi Leonard is almost ready to make his season debut.
The San Antonio Spurs small forward will play Saturday against the Phoenix Suns barring any setbacks, sources told The San Antonio Express-News' Jabari Young. He's yet to suit up in 2017-18 because he's been recovering from right quadriceps tendinopathy.
"Soon to come," he said earlier this week. "I'll be able to play on the floor. It's been a long wait, but I'm feeling pretty healthy right now."
Related: Popovich has 'never' seen quad injury like Leonard's
Leonard, 26, has progressed to five-on-five drills in recent weeks and will be re-evaluated Friday. Though he'll miss the game that evening against the Boston Celtics, he'll have an opportunity to play on the second night of the back to back in Phoenix.
When the two-time Defensive Player of the Year returns, he'll almost certainly be on a minutes restriction. He hasn't played since Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals, when an ankle injury ended his season, and effectively his team's title run.
Leonard averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals last season. In typical Spurs fashion, San Antonio has fared well even without its best player. LaMarcus Aldridge is in the midst of a career resurgence and has led the club to a 17-8 record - good for third in the West.