Spurs coach Gregg Popovich revealed the extent of the injury before yesterday's against the Portland Trail Blazers. Leonard was ruled out because of what the team described as a shoulder strain, but Popovich said it was a tear.
"It's too bad," Popovich told the Express-News. "He was starting to get back into form a little bit after playing a couple of games."
Leonard, a two-time All-Star, has been limited to eight games this season because of a quadriceps injury. He made his season debut December 12 and is averaging 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The Spurs entered Sunday with a 27-13 record despite playing much of the season without their star forward. Popovich's squad has relied on a group effort rather than an individual replacement for Leonard's scoring. In addition to Leonard, eight players are averaging at least eight points per game.
