Spurs' Leonard back in the building

San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard talks with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the bench during first half action against the Denver Nuggets Saturday Jan. 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center. San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard talks with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the bench during first half action against the Denver Nuggets Saturday Jan. 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center. Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Spurs' Leonard back in the building 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Maybe Kawhi Leonard is walking through that door after all.

The injured Spurs star was back in San Antonio, and back in the team's practice facility Tuesday, less than a week after coach Gregg Popovich said he would be "surprised" if Leonard played again this season.

The 26-year-old did not participate in the team portion of the Tuesday's workout session, nor is it immediately clear when he might be able to.

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Yet Leonard's return to San Antonio, as well as some of the conversations he has had with teammates, seem to make the "out for the season" hysteria of last week seem unnecessarily apocalyptic.

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"It's always good to see his face," guard Danny Green said Tuesday. "He said he'll be back, so we knew he was going to be back eventually at some point -- playing-wise, not just being around. If he's that confident mentally, I know he's going to get the work done to get it done physically."

Leonard has played in nine of 61 games while struggling to recover from right quadriceps tendinopathy. He has not appeared in a game since a Jan. 13 victory over Denver.

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Concerned with the slow progress of his recovery, Leonard spent the past three weeks in New York, rehabbing and consulting with additional doctors. He has also been in contact with teammates, letting them know he didn't consider himself done for the season.

"We're teammates, we still keep in touch via text," Green said. "He's rehabbing here, rehabbing there, feeling good."

Before Leonard can return to game action, he will need to progress through a protocol that includes 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 action. There is cautious optimism Leonard might be able to play again in March, with a soft target date somewhere on the three-game road trip that begins March 8 at Golden State.

Until that happens, however, the Spurs plan to continue to approach games as if Leonard won't be joining them.

"We're facing the end of the season as if he's not coming, and then if he does awesome," guard Manu Ginobili said. "Until we see him playing, it would be counterproductive to start thinking otherwise."

Jeff McDonald is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | Jmcdonald@express-news.net | @JMcDonald_SAEN