Gregg Popovich would be 'surprised' if Kawhi Leonard returned this season

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday that he would be surprised if Kawhi Leonard returned this season.

"We’ve got to move on,” said Popovich, who acknowledged the majority of the regular season is behind them. "The team has to realize that this is who we are, this is who we have. ... Wishing and hoping doesn't do anybody any good."

Leonard, who some pegged as an MVP candidate heading into the season, began the season late as a result of tendinopathy in his right quadriceps. He made his season debut on Dec. 12 but played only nine games intermittently over the new few weeks. 

On Jan. 17, the Spurs said he would be out indefinitely. 

“Kawhi has made significant progress and continues to move forward in his rehabilitation,” said Spurs general manager RC Buford at the time. “This is the best approach for the next steps in his return to play.”