Kawhi Leonard leaves Game 1 vs. Warriors after re-injuring left ankle

Leonard re-injured the same ankle he hurt in Game 5 against the Rockets. He will not return.

A pair of third-quarter ankle injuries to Kawhi Leonard put a damper on an otherwise magnificent Game 1 for the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs All-Star forward exited the opener of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors less than three minutes into the third quarter after re-injuring his left ankle. He will not return, the team announced.

He returned briefly before exiting again after another blow to the same ankle.

Leonard stepped on the ankle of David Lee, who was sitting on the bench, after a made basket early in the third quarter. He limped up the court before exiting the game on the ensuing defensive possession. Leonard then re-injured his ankle when Zaza Pachulia closed out on a baseline mid-range jump shot. He shot his free throws then immediately exited the game and headed to the locker room.

Leonard initially injured the ankle in Game 5 of San Antonio’s second-round playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets, and sat out the deciding Game 6 recovering from the injury.

While the severity of Leonard’s ankle issue is unknown, the injury is a blow to a Spurs’ team facing a powerhouse Warriors squad looking to make a third straight trip to the NBA Finals. Through two playoff series, Leonard has been incredible, averaging 27.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting better than 52 percent from the field, 47 percent from three, and 92 percent from the foul line.

San Antonio is also short Tony Parker for the playoffs after he suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon against the Rockets.