Duncan likely to miss a month for Spurs
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-23 09:20

Two-time Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan could miss the final month of the NBA season with a severe right ankle sprain, the club announced.

Two-time MVP Tim Duncan, is expected to miss the final month of the NBA season with a severe right ankle sprain, the club announced. [AFP]

The Spurs have already clinched a playoff berth and own the Western Conference's best record at 50-16, but have gone 1-3 this season when the star forward was out and will be hard-pressed to hold onto the top seeding.

"It's not broken but he can't walk on it," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Two-week minimum for sure."

Duncan, averaging 20.9 points and 11.5 rebounds a game, might not return before the April 20 conclusion of the NBA regular season.

The injury took place less than two minutes into San Antonio's 110-101 loss at the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.

Duncan had to be helped off the floor and into the locker room. Although X-rays were negative, Duncan left the arena on crutches and flew immediately to San Antonio when Pistons owner Bill Davidson's offered a private plane.

Duncan missed two games this month after injuring the same ankle.

"It's the same ankle he hurt previously in the year and he did a number on this one," Popovich said. "It's much worse than the last one."

The Spurs clinched a playoff berth Friday by beating Charlotte 93-76 and are fighting with Phoenix, 49-16, and Miami, 52-16, for the NBA's best overall record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

But Popovich said he would not rush Duncan to return.

"I'm just going to play it as it goes," he said. "If he's ready to play, he will play. If he's not ready to play, he won't. If he doesn't play any (more) regular-season games, it's because his ankle is not ready."

Duncan combined with center David Robinson to lead the Spurs to NBA titles in 1999 and 2003, capturing NBA Finals MVP honors both times.

A first-team All-Star each of the last seven seasons, Duncan has career averages of 22.6 points and 12.2 rebounds since being the seventh overall pick in 1997.

To replace Duncan in the lineup, the Spurs activated forward-center Sean Marks from the injured list. The New Zealand native has averaged 3.0 points in seven games this season.

Close

Milan defeat Roma 2-0 Real edge past Malaga 1-0 Lindsay Davenport

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Pak: DPRK ready to return to nuclear talks         EU urged to lift 'outdated' arms embargo         Official on trial for selling high-level jobs         Thirsty countryside demands safe water         Beijing makes a perfect FORTUNE forum         Textile firms to take EU ruling to WTO	Duncan likely to miss a month for Spurs       Chinese squad ready for FINA GP; Tian, Guo out       Fragile Hao Haidong injured       Ferguson "sackable" says United CEO       Skiers return with golden bounty       Beijing Olympic venues shape up for 2008