NBA

McDonald writes that the knee has bothering Leonard "all year," and it "affects him some nights more than others." Leonard missed some time during the regular season with what the team called right knee/quad tendinitis, and it's something that bears watching as the Spurs prepare for the Western Conference Finals against a tough Grizzlies team.

"It's not going to be pretty," he said. "Sorry. It's just not going to be. It's going to be two teams trying to impose wills on each other. It's going to be a rough one. If you thought this [series] was physical, it's going to turn up about 10 notches." It's a fantastic quote from one of the game's more candid players, but this is also the same guy who famously flipped off an onlooker who was filming him leaving a CVS last season. We can't wait to see Duncan battle Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

All five Spurs starters were in double figures, but defense was the story for the Spurs. They held the Warriors to just 38.8 percent shooting, including 4-of-16 from downtown. Duncan didn't play too much down the stretch tonight, but Gregg Popovich said after the game that it was his decision to keep TD on the bench. Duncan will be ready to go for Sunday and he'll have his hands full against the formidable Memphis big men.

It wasn't his best game, but at least he hit a huge 3-pointer that served as the dagger to get San Antonio to the next round. He'll have his hands full against Mike Conley and the Grizzles, which could be trouble with the inconsistencies in the Spurs' O against inferior defensive teams.

He brought his blanket for Klay Thompson and was in his hip pocket for the last four games of this series. Leonard has shown flashes throughout the year and he's going to need a big-time performance against the Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals. The fun starts on Sunday.

Danny Green had 16 points and a full stat line, Kawhi Leonard hit 7-of-8 shots and 3-of-4 3-pointers for 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals, and Tim Duncan double-doubled with 14 points and a 11 rebounds on 5-of-13 shooting. Manu Ginobili played just 25 minutes and hit 3-of-9 shots, but still finished with an effective 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two 3-pointers in the win. Game 6 is at Golden State on Thursday, where the Warriors will look to bounce back and ensure a Game 7 in San Antonio.

Parker admitted that the injury "limited him a little bit" in Game 4, when he scored 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting. "I just didn't have my normal lift for my jump shots and penetrate," he said. The good news is that the Spurs have had two days to rest, and there is no doubt that Parker will be in the starting lineup for Game 5.