SPURS’ LEONARD TO MISS PRESEASON WITH THIGH INJURY
ANTONIO» A lingering thigh injury SAN for Kawhi Leonard has the San Antonio Spurs’ season off to an ominous start.
Leonard will miss the entire preseason while rehabbing an injury to his right quadriceps, the Spurs announced Saturday. There is no definitive timetable for his return.
Coach Gregg Popovich told reporters in San Antonio that the thigh has bothered Leonard since the playoffs. The two-time All-star and two-time defensive player of the year has been working on rehabilitation all summer but is still not ready to get on the court.
“It’s just from last year, working on things from last year,” Popovich said. “It’s gone a little more slowly than we thought.”
Leonard averaged 25.5 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Spurs last season. He was voted first team ALL-NBA, first team All-defense and finished third in the MVP voting, behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
The Spurs said it was quadriceps tendinopathy, a condition that can cause the tendon to tire with overuse. Leonard did not participate in a team scrimmage Saturday that was open to the public.
• Lebron James remains sidelined with a sprained left ankle, and the Cavaliers plan to keep him out of an upcoming scrimmage.
Kevin Love could be named the Cleveland Cavaliers’ permanent starter at center this season, with Tristan Thompson coming off the bench, coach Tyronn Lue said.
• All-star forward Paul George said Russell Westbrook’s five-year extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder will “absolutely” factor into his decision on his own future next summer when George becomes an unrestricted free agent.
• Frank Hamblen, who won seven NBA championships as an assistant to Phil Jackson in Los Angeles and Chicago, died Saturday. He was 70. The Lakers didn’t provide a cause of death.
Sparks on brink of back-to-back.
ANGELES» Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike was sporting a clear bandage under her eye Saturday. It wasn’t hiding the five stitches she received after Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles used her arm to track down a rebound in the fourth quarter in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
Ogwumike was quick to say Fowles didn’t do it intentionally.
“I saw it happening and it was like a fumble and when she went to get it she kind of flung her arm,” Ogwumike said. “It just kind of split the skin. But I think AB (Alana Beard) came up with the rebound.”
It’s easy for the Sparks to find silver linings. They dominated the boards en route to beating the Lynx 75-64 in Game 3 on Friday and they’re now one win away from hoisting the WNBA Finals championship trophy Sunday at Staples Center.
USA Basketball hosts seminar.
YORK» USA Basketball is trying
NEW to do its part to keep young women involved in sports once their playing careers are over.
The organization hosted a “Women in the Game” seminar Saturday in Santa Barbara, Calif., where the women’s national team is training. The event brought together high school and college athletes to listen to a variety of speakers from all different areas of sports.
“All credit goes to the youth division,” USA Basketball national team director Carol Callan said.
Footnotes. Unseeded Caroline Garcia of France won her first title of the year, beating Ashleigh Barty 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the Wuhan Open final. … Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix with another brilliant drive under pressure, while title rival Sebastian Vettel’s misery continued as he quit early in qualifying after losing power on a straight.