Patty Mills and his San Antonio Spurs will have to face the NBA Playoffs without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, according to multiple media reports.
Leonard is not expected to return during the post-season, according to a report from Yahoo Sports.
ESPN reported that the Spurs believe Leonard won't be back this season.
Leonard has played just nine games this season while dealing with right quadriceps tendinopathy.
The Spurs' medical staff cleared Leonard to return to play in March, but his personal medical team has decided to hold him out as he continues to rehabilitate his troublesome right leg.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Leonard has remained in New York City with his own medical team as he goes through his extended rehabilitation, and he has not rejoined the Spurs over the past month. He has not appeared in a game since playing 31 minutes on January 13.
San Antonio, the seventh seed in the western conference, are 1-0 down to defending champions Golden State in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Warriors won the series opener 113-92 with Boomers guard Mills managing just five points in a tough outing dominated by the hot-shooting of Warriors star Klay Thompson.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, asked Sunday for an update on Leonard's status, said, "You'll have to ask Kawhi and his group that question.
"So far, they say that he's not ready to go. So we can't do anything until that happens.
"Then, we would have to decide what's going on from there. But that's the first thing that has to happen."
Leonard is eligible for a five-year, $219 million ($A282 million) "super max" contract extension at season's end.
His current contract runs through to the 2018-19 campaign.
