San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard went down with an injury during Game 1 on the Western Conference Finals after Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia slid underneath him on a closeout.
Related: Details emerge after ESPN personality collapses during coverage of Warriors-Spurs
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked about the injury and the Spurs' chances in the series, and he lashed out at Pachulia in an angry tirade on Monday.
Pop is FURIOUS about Zaza pic.twitter.com/Bfcq2iu36B
— Kawhi Leonard (@SugarKLeonard2) May 15, 2017
The Spurs were up 23 points in the third quarter at the time of the injury, but the Warriors stormed back and won 113-111 to take a 1-0 lead in Leonard's absence.
Kawhi Leonard in MRI now. Pop said he's likely out. Pop's highly ticked, & calling the Zaza play dirty.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) May 15, 2017
Pop's going in right now. Called it "a totally unnatural closeout." Said "you wanna know how we feel?"
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) May 15, 2017
"Having your horses is important...this is crap. Who gives a damn about his intent? Ever heard of manslaughter?"- Pop
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) May 15, 2017
Kawhi is out for Game 2, and he might miss the rest of the season depending what the MRI reveals. It was a series and season shifting injury for the Spurs, who were dominating the Warriors at the time of the injury.
Popovich clearly thinks Pachulia intentionally slid under Leonard, so it will be intriguing to see if any Spur retaliates against Pachulia or another Warrior during the series.
Game 2 is Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ESPN at Golden State.
(h/t The Spun)
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