SAN ANTONIO – As the starting point guard in Game 5, Patty Mills took it upon himself Tuesday night to rally the troops after it was clear an injured left ankle would prevent Kawhi Leonard from returning to the court.
Leonard left the game with 34.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter and remained on the bench through the end of regulation and overtime.
The Spurs still managed to defeat Houston 110-107 without their do-everything star to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Mills said the vibe among the players after Leonard left the game was similar to the one the club experienced after point guard Tony Parker suffered a postseason-ending ruptured left quadriceps tendon in the fourth quarter of Game 2.