Gregg Popovich: Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard Will Play In Game 1 Against Warriors

The San Antonio Spurs headed into Game 5 of the second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets without superstar Kawhi Leonard in the lineup. Leonard was nursing an ankle injury that kept him out of the game, but the team still prevailed beating the Rockets in convincing fashion to win the series and advance to the Western Conference Finals to face the Golden State Warriors.

Fortunately for San Antonio, after having a few days to rest the ankle, Leonard will be ready to go against the Warriors in Game 1 on Sunday, according to head coach Gregg Popovich via ESPN:

Kawhi Leonard has been cleared to play in Game 1 of the Spurs’ Western Conference Finals series against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on Sunday.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Leonard “absolutely” fully participated in Saturday’s practice in San Antonio.

The top-seeded Warriors have home-court advantage in their series with the Spurs and therefore will host Leonard and company on Sunday at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Although Leonard will be back in the lineup, the Spurs are heavy underdogs heading into their first head-to-head matchup with the Warriors in this series.

According to Sportsbook.ag, the Warriors are favored with a -10 point spread. Golden State is also favored to win the series with 1/10 odds compared to 13/2 odds for San Antonio.

Although the Warriors are expected to make easy work of the Spurs and advance to the NBA Finals for a third straight year, the Spurs put up a valiant effort against the Rockets in the second round after getting crushed in Game 1 in San Antonio.

Popovich’s squad shouldn’t be underestimated, but the Warriors will be a tough out, especially considering the fact they have yet to lose a game during their current playoff run.