SAN FRANCISCO — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich ruled Kawhi Leonard out for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals because of a sprained left ankle after what Popovich described as a "dangerous" and "unsportsmanlike" closeout by Golden State's Zaza Pachulia.
Leonard had an MRI on Monday and Popovich had no timetable on when he'd be able to return to action.
"We'll see what the MRI says, but obviously he won't play tomorrow," Popovich said.
Leonard left Game 1 on Sunday after reinjuring his tender left ankle in the third quarter when Pachulia's foot slid under Leonard's following a jumper by the All-Star forward.
The play happened in front of the Spurs bench and Popovich was angry after San Antonio's 113-111 loss to the Warriors.
"A two-step, lead-with-your-foot closeout is not appropriate," he said." "It's dangerous, it's unsportsmanlike. It's just not what anybody does to anybody else. And this particular individual has a history with that kind of action."
Popovich pointed to a history of borderline plays by Pachulia during his time with Dallas against the Spurs, including a flagrant foul against Patty Mills, a play where he locked arms with Mills in a way that "could have broken his arm," according to Popovich.
Pachulia denied any intent to injure Leonard. But Popovich was concerned only with the result not the intent.
