Warriors at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs will be without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard when they host the Golden State Warriors in Saturday night's nationally televised game that no longer has the feeling of a showdown. The MVP candidate entered the NBA's concussion protocol after taking an elbow in the head Thursday and will sit out the contest while Golden State will rest four of its key players in the contest between the two teams with the best records in the NBA.
The Warriors remain without All-Star forward Kevin Durant (knee) but coach Steve Kerr has also decided to rest All-Star guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, All-Star power forward Draymond Green and reserve swingman Andre Iguodala against San Antonio. Golden State is suffering through its worst stretch during Kerr's tenure as coach as Friday's 103-102 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves is the team's fourth setback in the past six games. Leonard, who is averaging a career-best 26.2 points, was injured when he was inadvertently hit by Oklahoma City guard Victor Oladipo during the Spurs' 102-92 loss and his absence is untimely with the second-place Spurs sitting 1 1/2 games behind the Western Conference-leading Warriors. San Antonio will also be without standout power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who was ruled out Saturday morning because of a minor heart arrhythmia.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (52-13): Kerr said he made the decision to rest the foursome after discussing it with the training staff and being told San Antonio was the best time to rest them because of a 3 a.m. (CT) arrival time and the amount of minutes being played. "It's my call," Kerr told reporters, "and it is the right thing to do in terms of the way the season is playing out and the way the minutes have gone and KD's injury." Curry certainly looks in need of a breather after going 10-of-27 shooting (1-of-8 from 3-point range) and missing a game-winning 18-foot attempt in the final seconds against Minnesota and the fact that he is a porous 18-of-76 from 3-point range over the past seven contests.
ABOUT THE SPURS (50-14): Aldridge has experienced heartbeat issues in the past - in 2007 and 2011 when he was with Portland - and San Antonio will have him undergo further testing before determining a timeline for his return. "He'll be out for an indefinite period of time, and that statement says everything," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said in a statement. San Antonio also announced that point guard Tony Parker (back) will miss the contest and his absence creates plenty of playing time for productive reserve Patty Mills.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Leonard scored 35 points as the Spurs rolled to a 129-100 road victory over the Warriors in the season opener for both teams Oct. 25.
2. Golden State PG Shaun Livingston was rested against Minnesota and figures to play a lot of minutes against the Spurs.
3. San Antonio PF David Lee will be counted on against the Warriors - Lee had 18 points (on 8-of-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds against Sacramento on Wednesday when Leonard and Aldridge sat out.