While waiting for the return of their superstar Kawhi Leonard, the San Antonio Spurs lost another key player in their 90-87 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday. According to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, forward Kyle Anderson will be out for two to three weeks due to sprained MCL in his left knee. "It looked really ugly. I think it'll probably be maybe two weeks, something like that, and he'll be back with us," Popovich said after Anderson underwent MRI in San Antonio on Monday. The 24-year-old Anderson sustained a non-contact injury in their loss to the Thunder.
Before the injury, Anderson has been starting in place of Kawhi Leonard. This season, Anderson is averaging nine points, six rebounds, and three assists in 22 games. According to Julian Gill of Pounding the Rock, the Spurs will greatly miss Anderson’s contribution. Anderson has played the third-most minutes per game and among the top five Spurs in six major categories, including field-goal percentage with 51.3 percent. Anderson is tied with Danny Green for most steals on the team with 25 and fourth in terms of blocks.
Gay started in place of Anderson
Rudy Gay started in place of Anderson, recording a double-double with 12 points and ten boards, as the Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons, 96-93, Monday.
Gay was among seven players who scored in double digits for the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 17 points and grabbed ten boards; Pau Gasol also tallied a double-double with 15 points and ten boards, Manu Ginobili chipped in 12, while Danny Green, Davis Bertans, and Patty Mills contributed 11 points each as the Spurs improved to 16-8.
Reggie Jackson scored 27 points, Tobias Harris contributed 15 points, Stanley Johnson had 14 points, Andre Drummond tallied a double-double with 11 points and 15 boards while Ish Smith had 11 as the Pistons dropped to 14-9.
No timetable for Leonard’s return
Before the Spurs faced the Piston, Leonard spoke about his status and his imminent return to playing.
In an interview with Jabari Young of the San Antonio Express-News, Leonard said he’s still unsure of the exact date of his return. “Just whenever I see how the next day of recovery feels,” said Leonard, who has been sidelined by a quad injury since the preseason. “It’s just based on how I feel is when I’ll be released to play.” Last season, Leonard averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 boards, and 3.5 assists in 77 games. Leonard finished as a finalist for the MVP Award, where he finished third behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
