everything was going smoothly for the Spurs, until Kawhi Leonard was lost to an injury.
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The NBA will not discipline Zaza Pachulia for his questionable closeout that injured Kawhi Leonard’s ankle in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, but that’s not stopping Spurs fan Juan Vazquez from chasing justice. Vazquez filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Pachulia and the Warriors on behalf of Spurs season ticket holders and a local card shop, asking for $73,000 in damages and a temporary restraining order against Pachulia. The latter request has already been denied by State District Judge Norma Gonzalez, according to KSAT 12 in San Antonio.

The lawsuit argues that, as a season ticket holder, Vazquez doesn’t deserve to have his team’s players targeted for injury because the team becomes less likely to win the NBA title. And winning an NBA title “would have resulted in a financial recovery for him and great opportunities for Spurs nation,” according to the lawsuit. Here’s what Vazquez’s lead attorney said about the situation, from KSAT:

“All we are asking from the court is that this type of behavior, that can and does cause serious injury to our team and those that love it, not be allowed in San Antonio,” lead attorney Alfonso Kennard Jr. said.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called Pachulia’s play “dangerous” and “unsportsmanlike.” Bruce Bowen, a former player known for dirty play, agreed the play was dirty. But he played eight seasons with the Spurs and won three rings under Popovich, so…

The fact is the lawsuit is completely ridiculous. Plus, other parties are losing far more money as a result of Leonard’s injury, like TNT and ESPN who now have to broadcast a totally boring Western Conference Finals that may last only four games.

But props to Vazquez for standing up for his city, I guess. Somehow I doubt this is the spark the Spurs need to come back from a 2-0 deficit against the 67-win Warriors.

[KSAT 12]

About Jesse Kramer

Jesse is a writer and editor for The Comeback. He has also worked for SI.com and runs The Catch and Shoot, a college basketball website based in Chicago. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Follow Jesse on Twitter @Jesse_Kramer.

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