LEONARD INSPIRES
Spurs star shines against Atlanta despite recent concussion
KAWHI Leonard shrugged off the aftereffects of a recent concussion to score 31 points as the San Antonio Spurs downed Atlanta to go level with Golden State at the top of the Western Conference on Monday.
Leonard, who had been concussed after a clash with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo last Thursday, showed no sign of the knock as he led the Spurs to a 107-99 victory over the Hawks.
The win gave San Antonio an identical 52-14 record to Western Conference pace-setters Golden State.
Leonard said he was fully recovered from his concussion which had left him complaining of headaches and blurred vision in his left eye.
“I felt good — it was just like any other game,” said Leonard. “Our trainers did a good job of getting me prepared.”
Meanwhile, Vince Carter rolled back the years to score 24 points as the Memphis Grizzlies outgunned the Milwaukee Bucks 11393 on Monday.
Carter, 40, making his first start of the season, scored 24 points as Memphis ended a fivegame losing streak against the Bucks at FedExForum.
Carter’s points haul made him the first 40-year-old in NBA history to make at least five threepointers in a game.
Carter’s tally made him the oldest player to score at least 24 points in a game since Michael Jordan hit 25 points as a 40-yearold in 2003.
RESULTS — Sacramento 120 Orlando 115, Denver 129 LA Lakers 101, Utah 114 LA Clippers 108, Memphis 113 Milwaukee 93, San Antonio 107 Atlanta 99, Minnesota 119 Washington 104, Toronto 100 Dallas 78, Charlotte 109 Chicago 115. AFP