Leonard, Popovich to meet Tuesday to gauge return from injury

The San Antonio Spurs will soon learn more about the state of their superstar.

Head coach Gregg Popovich will meet with Kawhi Leonard on Tuesday in hopes of gaining clarity about when he can expect the two-time DPOY to return to the lineup.

"I'll see Kawhi tomorrow," Popovich said Monday, as quoted by ESPN's Michael C. Wright. "We'll see how he's feeling, and see how ready he is, and see how ready I think he is. And we'll go from there."

Leonard has been dealing with a right quad injury that's limited him to just nine games this season, and it was reported Saturday that he could return as early as Thursday versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

Popovich dismissed the report, though, suggesting the team hasn't set a return date.

"I don't know what they reported. I don't hear. I don't worry about reports," he told reporters Saturday.

Leonard last suited up Jan. 13, and was reportedly cleared by the team's medical staff last month, but sought a second opinion. Popovich then told reporters he'd be surprised if the 2014 Finals MVP returned to the fold this season, which Leonard contradicted last week.

"Soon. I don't have a set date right now. I just have to keep doing what I'm doing," he said of his return.

San Antonio fell to the Houston Rockets on Monday, and out of a playoff position. Though the Spurs are in a four-way tie, they're technically the 10th seed due to tie-breakers after going 3-9 in their past 12 outings.