LeBron James Leaves Early, Kawhi Leonard And Spurs Rout Cavs 103-74

The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled in recent games, and it was painfully evident in Monday’s loss in San Antonio.

Kawhi Leonard, Spurs Thrash LeBron James, Cavs 103-74

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points to lead the Spurs to a 103-74 thrashing of the Cavs, and LeBron James was fine despite exiting the game late in the third quarter after taking an elbow to the neck.

”The way we’ve been struggling, (the Spurs are) the last team that you want to play,” said James, who left with 25 seconds remaining in the third after David Lee elbowed him on a rebound. ”A well-oiled machine like this, they exploit everything that you’re not doing well at that point in time of the season and right now we’re not playing good basketball.”

James, who finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 29 minutes, headed to the locker room early in the fourth quarter during a timeout, but later said he was fine. He stayed on the floor for about a minute before walking to the bench unassisted. The Cavs forward added he will play Thursday in Chicago.

The Cavs (47-26, 2nd in Eastern Conference) lost their second straight game, set a season low for total points and fell a half-game behind Boston (48-26) for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Cleveland have nine games left, all against teams in the East.

James said the standings “always matter,” although playing more consistently is much more important. He refused to blame his team’s struggles on injuries or a tough schedule.

”It matters more that we’re playing better basketball than where we’re at,” he said. ”If that results in us having the No. 1 seed, the No. 2 seed, 3 or whatever the hell it is, we need to play better basketball. That’s what it comes down to.”

Meanwhile, the Spurs (57-16, 2nd in Western Conference) are two games behind Golden State (59-14) for the NBA’s best record ahead of a home game against the Warriors on Wednesday.

San Antonio have won five straight and eight of 10 after sweeping the season series with the Cavaliers.

”We did a good job coming out early and then keeping our foot on the pedal,” said Leonard, who has scored in double figures in 100 straight games.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol added 14 points each for the Spurs.

San Antonio led by up to 33 in their win before a sold-out crowd at AT&T Center, and the Spurs’ bench outscored the Cavs’ reserves 49-24.

”It was a big game, but in the end, it’s just one game, and one win,” San Antonio guard Tony Parker said. ”We’re trying to be consistent. We’re trying to play the same way every game. It was definitely surprising. Coming off a loss, I thought they would play with a lot more energy, but it can happen. It’s a long season. It’s just one game and I’m sure they’re going to bounce back and use this game as motivation.”

The Cavaliers, who were already missing injured Iman Shumpert, learned Monday morning that they have lost yet another player: Kyle Korver, who will miss at least two more games with a sore left foot.

”You lose Korver and Shumpert off your bench and things tend to change,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. ”With those two guys out, we tried some different things and it didn’t work. It was not on the bench. It was on me.”

James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love sat out the fourth quarter.

Lue said he has considered resting his stars over the Cavs’ last nine games, something James is opposed to.

”Coach is going to have his logic of things, but we need to play,” he said.

James needs 24 points to pass Shaquille O’Neal for seventh overall in career scoring. O’Neal has 28,596 career points.

The Cavaliers next visit Chicago on Thursday night, while the Spurs will host Golden State on Wednesday night.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks as Pau Gasol #16 looks on during a 105-97 Spurs win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.