By
Matt Johnson on Wednesday, February 21
st 2018
As the San Antonio Spurs return from the All Star Break, the team received disheartening news. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich revealed to reporters on Wednesday that the team did not expect Leonard to return to the court this season.
Leonard, who last played on Jan. 13 against the Denver Nuggets, felt renewed issue with his right quadriceps. The injury caused him to miss the start of the regular season and limited his playing time when he made it on the court in December.
In nine games this season, Leonard averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds. 2.3 assists and two steals per game in nearly 24 minutes per night. He showed much of his All-NBA form in short spurts, but it didn't take long before the right quadricep tendinopathy came back.
For fantasy owners, San Antonio's heavy skepticism for a potential return this season means it's time to cut bait with Leonard in non-keeper leagues. This is a long-term injury and San Antonio is not going to rush him back and risk negative impacts in future seasons.
In Leonard's absence, Kyle Anderson will continue to see extended run as a starter. The 24-year-old forward averaged just 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game this season and played around 28 minutes per night. Given his lack of scoring and lack of significant production in assists and rebounds to make up for it, Anderson is off the fantasy radar in everything but deep leagues.