Spurs fans were furious at Zaza Pachulia after his extra step injured Kawhi Leonard in the third quarter of the Warriors’ 113-111 Game 1 victory on Sunday.
Leonard was putting on a show, helping the Spurs to a 76-55 lead with 26 points and 8 rebounds.
https://youtu.be/KjltILEVZrw
The play could easily have been viewed as a dirty one, especially given Pachulia’s reputation.
But Leonard dismissed the notion that Pachulia stepped under him on purpose.
https://youtu.be/6JoKgkrJUYw?t=44s
“Did he step under [my foot]? Like on purpose? No.
“He was contesting a shot. The shot clock was coming down, and I would have to see the play.“
Kawhi has rolled his left ankle three times in the Spurs’ last three games (first in Game 5 vs the Rockets, and twice in Game 1 vs the Warriors).
Kawhi would not commit to playing in Game 2.
