A deep communication rift has emerged between Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs, with recent reports confirming that the star forward has been out of contact with the team for several weeks. According to Sacramento Bee reporter Ailene Voisin, Leonard is currently “off the grid,” not responding to calls or texts from the Spurs’ front office. He has only occasionally texted a few teammates and has kept his distance from the club entirely. It’s unlikely he’ll even be courtside for Game 3 against the Warriors.
Leonard initially suffered a quadriceps injury during off-season training last year and has played only nine regular-season games this season. His extended absence and off-court behavior have sparked significant controversy. Despite the Spurs’ medical staff clearing him for action months ago, Leonard chose to rehab independently in New York—twice—deepening the divide with team management. Many observers now believe Leonard’s actions may be tied to stalled contract extension talks. Notably, Spurs superfan and sports analyst Skip Bayless harshly criticized Leonard’s decisions, calling them selfish and out of character for a franchise known for discipline and loyalty.
Bayless also pointed out that Leonard is earning \$19 million and yet hasn’t made a single playoff appearance—not even to support the team from the bench. “He’s not even dealing with a major ligament tear,” Bayless argued. “It’s a bruised thigh. Compare that to Stephen Curry, who has also been sidelined with a knee issue but still shows up to support his teammates during games. Curry was on the sidelines for Games 1 and 2 and is expected to travel with the team for the road games. That’s what leadership looks like.”
In contrast, Leonard’s absence has left fans disappointed and critics vocal. Voisin reported that if the situation doesn’t improve, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich would be open to moving on from Leonard. Several NBA teams are already rumored to be preparing trade offers, eager to capitalize on the fractured relationship.
When recently asked about Leonard’s status, Popovich told reporters, “You’ll have to ask his camp.” Following the Spurs’ Game 2 loss, Popovich delivered an unusually lengthy and glowing tribute to LaMarcus Aldridge, which many interpreted as a not-so-subtle jab at Leonard.
For followers of BD Cricket Match, who understand the importance of team unity and loyalty, this situation echoes how a player’s absence in crucial moments can impact not just performance, but team morale. In both basketball and a tight BD Cricket Match, presence matters as much as performance—and when a star goes missing, it can leave a hole no stat sheet can fill.