While the Golden State Warriors are clearly the team with superior talent, the San Antonio Spurs were expected to at least give them a run for their money in the Western Conference Finals. However, after Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard re-injured his already banged up ankle on a controversial play, the odds of that happening reduced substantially.
Leonard sat out the remainder of Game 1 and the Warriors were able to come back and steal the victory followed by an ugly Game 2 blowout in which the Spurs got annihilated. Obviously, the injury changed the entire series and Spurs supporters across the nation are not happy about the way their season might come to an end.
Spurs fan Juan Vazquez has even decided to sue the Warriors and center Zaza Pachulia, the player responsible for the injury. According to Nick Moyle of the San Francisco Chronicle, Vazquez is suing the franchise on behalf of Spurs season ticket holders:
Vazquez on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Pachulia and the Warriors on behalf of Spurs season ticket holders and San Antonio card shop What’s On Second.
“All we are asking from the court is that this type of behavior, that can and does cause serious injury to our team and those that love it, not be allowed in San Antonio,” said Alfonso Kennard, Jr., lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
The suit claims Pachulia acted “without excuse or justification, intentionally and maliciously invaded the landing zone of an opposing athlete, Kawhi Leonard.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lambasted Pachulia, deeming the close-out “dangerous” and “unsportsmanlike.”
Leonard’s injury has been one of the more talked about storylines in recent days. Many believe the injury was intentional on Pachulia’s behalf, including head coach Gregg Popovich who cited the big man’s history of dirty plays. Hopefully, the Spurs get their superstar back for Game 3 and can at least manage to make this series interesting.
