Leonard doesn't think Pachulia meant to injure him
Kawhi Leonard was forced out of Game 1 with a left ankle sprain suffered after being undercut by Zaza Pachulia.
Many were quick to call it a dirty play on the part of the Golden State Warriors center, but Leonard dismissed that notion.
"Did he step under it? Like on purpose?" the San Antonio Spurs forward asked postgame. "No. He was contesting the shot. The shot clock was coming down. I'll have to see the play."
Pachulia confirmed he was merely challenging Leonard's shot, and called accusations of intent to injure "really stupid."
Intentional or not, the play marked the turning point of Sunday's game. The Spurs were up 23 in the third frame when The Claw checked out for good, and ended up losing 113-111.
Related: Kawhi's ankle injury drastically changed complexion of Game 1
Leonard - who missed the final game of the previous series due to a sprain on the same ankle - said it's "just very painful."
The All-Star will reportedly undergo an MRI on Monday, and left the door open to the possibility of suiting up Tuesday in Game 2 of the West Finals.
"We'll see tomorrow and the next day to see how I'm feeling," he said.