Report: Kawhi Leonard Has ‘partial tear’ in Left Shoulder

San Antonio Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard has a “partial tear” in his left shoulder, according to coach Gregg Popovich.

According to a league source, at this point the organization doesn’t think the injury is serious following the initial diagnosis. Leonard was ruled out of Sunday night’s game at Portland, and the club plans to evaluate Leonard over the next couple days of its current road trip, which continues Monday at Sacramento and concludes Thursday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

“I don’t think it will be a while,” Popovich said regarding Leonard’s status following the Spurs’ 111-110 loss to the Trail Blazers.

The injury occurred during San Antonio’s 103-89 win Friday over the Phoenix Suns. Popovich said before Sunday’s game in Portland he wasn’t sure whether Leonard would play at any point during the Spurs’ road trip.

“I don’t know,” Popovich said. “It depends on how his shoulder goes. It’s too bad because he was starting to get back into form a little bit after playing a couple of games.”

The latest setback represents yet another roadblock for Leonard in his return, as he missed the first 27 games of the season rehabilitating from quadriceps tendinopathy. The club has held out Leonard for five games since he returned Dec. 12 as a component of what it has called “return from injury management.”

Source: Michael C. Wright of ESPN