NBASports

Was Zaza Pachulia’s play on Kawhi Leonard dirty?

The Golden State Warriors escaped with a win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, but it was anything but smooth sailing against a sharp San Antonio Spurs squad…until the closeout that changed everything.

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by:
SiriusXM Editor
May 15, 2017

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, center left, gestures next to center Pau Gasol during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, May 14, 2017. The Warriors won 113-111.

The Golden State Warriors escaped with a win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, but it was anything but smooth sailing against a sharp San Antonio Spurs squad…until the closeout that changed everything.

The trouble started when Warriors big man Zaza Pachulia contested a shot by Kawhi Leonard and ended up with his feet in Kawhi’s landing space. Leonard, who has had trouble with an injured ankle this postseason, landed on Pachulia’s foot and rolled it once again. Now, Leonard is out for Game 2 and the entire series has been altered.

Former NBA & ABA head coach Kevin Loughery joined SiriusXM NBA Radio and said he didn’t think the play was intentionally dirty, but it will no doubt have an affect the series since he believes Leonard is the best player in the NBA.

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