Doing rehab work 'difficult' for Kawhi Leonard, says Gregg Popovich
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said on Tuesday both injured Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard are headed in the right direction, but noted that the latter is “coming along more slowly” during rehabilitation.
“It’s just been more difficult for him to get through the rehab routine. His body hasn’t reacted the same way,” Popovich said, via Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News.
Leonard, 26, missed the entire preseason and has been out the first 11 games of the regular season due to right quadriceps tendinopathy. There’s currently no timetable for his return. Parker, who is recovering from offseason surgery to repair his left quadriceps tendon, is still a “few more weeks” away.
Here’s more from the Express-News regarding Parker and Leonard.
Popovich was asked if Leonard will have to go through the same procedure as Parker, who returned to the Spurs on Tuesday after spending Monday working out with the Austin Spurs.
“Sure,” Popovich said. “I wouldn’t want him to go right from rehab to jumping on the court. He has to go three on three, five on five, feel comfortable. Because in the end that confidence is what…Anybody who has been out any length of time has to get that back even if the doctors say, ‘Yep, you are ready to go.’ You really aren’t until you are mentally ready to go.”
The Spurs are 7-4 without their two cornerstones.
