It's looking more and more like a lost season for Spurs star Kawhi Leonard.
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The All-Star small forward has played in just nine games this season while dealing with a quad injury, and he has already been ruled inactive for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) is out for tonight’s Spurs-Pelicans game. pic.twitter.com/ac84CaA4oQ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 15, 2018
The Spurs were originally targeting Friday's game as a potential return date for Leonard, but reports circulated Thursday claiming he no longer would be able to suit up against New Orleans.
San Antonio (38-30) has dropped five of its last seven games, falling to ninth in the Western Conference standings.
With the regular season ending, and a matchup against either the Rockets or Warriors looming in the first round of the playoffs — if they even get in— the Spurs may be better off resting Leonard for the remainder of the season.