After a solid showing from forward Kawhi Leonard on Friday in his first game in more than a month, some of his teammates believe Head Coach Gregg Popovich will insert him back in the starting lineup when the Spurs host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at the AT&T Center.

“I hope so,” said point guard and leading scorer Tony Parker. “Kawhi’s been playing great. He was hurt. That can happen to anybody.

“Pop usually gives you one game on the bench (when you return). He did that with me, he did that with Timmy (Duncan).”

Leonard missed 17 games with left quadriceps tendinitis before logging 20 minutes against visiting New Orleans on Friday, more than nine of those in the fourth quarter of a close game. He scored eight points and had two steals in the Spurs’ 99-94 victory.

“I expect Kawhi to start tomorrow and do the same stuff he’s been doing since the beginning of the season,” Parker said. “He looked great last game. I think he’s fine. No setbacks, so I expect him to start.”

via Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation