Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson groaned when he saw Kawhi Leonard make his way to the scorer's table coming out of a Spurs' timeout in the fourth quarter Tuesday night.



"When Kawhi checked into the game in the fourth quarter, that wasn't a welcome sign," Atkinson said. "It just changes the game. He makes such a difference."



Receiving his first fourth quarter action since he began his comeback from right quadriceps tendinopathy, Leonard scored four of his team-high 21 points in the final frame and played what Atkinson termed "unbelievable" defense to help the Spurs hold off the Nets for a 109-97 victory in their first game this season with every player available.



Coach Gregg Popovich called on Leonard with 4:26 left after the Nets had cut a 17-point Spurs lead down to eight. When Leonard left the game for good with 1:25 left, the Spurs led by 12 thanks in part to him hitting back-to-back shots via a finger-roll layup and a 10-foot step-back jumper.



But it was his defense that impressed Atkinson the most.



"I felt like he was guarding our whole team at times," Atkinson said.



Told the coach's comments, Leonard chuckled.



"I don't feel like I'm there yet," Leonard said. "But I try to do what I can."



In his fifth game back, Leonard finished with 21 points in 26 minutes, his highs in those categories since his comeback began Dec. 12.



Leonard said he felt good afterward, especially since the Spurs won. But he made it clear it would be wrong for anyone, including Atkinson, to think he's close to re-capturing the form that allowed him to lead the Spurs in scoring last season with a 25.5 average while playing his usual outstanding defense.



"I'm just taking it slow and trying not to skip any steps so I can be healthy down the road," Leonard said.



One of those steps was to reach the point where he could play in the fourth quarter. When he wasn't on the court at the start of the period, it looked like Popovich would continue to cap the two-time All-Star's minutes at around 20.



But Leonard said Tuesday night was different in that he tried to "stay ready" in case Popovich needed him.



"We were up 16 with about seven minutes to go and it dropped down to nine real quick, so once he called my name I was ready to go," Leonard said.



Leonard got off to a fast start against Brooklyn, scoring seven points in the first quarter on 3-of-5 shooting. By halftime, he had 14 on 5 of 11.



Then in the third quarter, he produced a soaring drive that ended with a finger roll layup, yet another sign that he's gradually getting stronger.



"Every game, we see a little more rust go off," Popovich said.



In winning their 11th in a row at home, the Spurs (24-11) had six players score in double figures, including 20 points from LaMarcus Aldridge and a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double by Pau Gasol in his first game after he recorded a triple-double Saturday night in Sacramento.



But all eyes were on Leonard, who led the Spurs with a plus-minus of plus 18.



"Tonight was definitely a big step forward in his progression," Gasol said. "Being able to play 26 minutes as good as he played tonight is a huge deal for us."



But Leonard wanted to talk more about his teammates then himself afterward. He said he's excited that so many players are performing at a high level, including 40-year-old Manu Ginobili, who finished with 11 points on 4 of 7.



"Watching them play and seeing them do the things they do for our team is great," Leonard said. "It inspires everyone."



Leonard thinks it will be a while before the same is said of him.



"Just everything," he said when asked what's been the hardest thing for him to overcome. "Your wind, some play calls, just knowing guys on the floor, chemistry, defensive rotations. Just everything on the floor. I wouldn't say that I'm 100 percent yet."



Don't tell that to Atkinson, though.



torsborn@express-news.net

Twitter: @Tom_Orsborn