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 Thursday, April 20
Duncan's status uncertain for Saturday's game
 
 Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO -- Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs star who missed the last four regular-season games because of a knee injury, is questionable for the playoff opener against Phoenix.

"There is improvement," Spurs spokesman Tom James said Thursday. "There is no target date. There's no determination if he's ready Saturday, if he's ready in two weeks."

Tim Duncan
Duncan

San Antonio opens the best-of-five Western Conference series against the Suns on Saturday at the Alamodome.

Duncan has missed four games with torn cartilage in his left knee, an injury that occurred April 11 against Sacramento.

Despite Duncan's absence, the Spurs have won three of their last four games, capped by a 103-98 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. That victory gave San Antonio the No. 4 seed in the conference and homecourt advantage against Phoenix.

His teammates had the day off Thursday, but Duncan worked out by himself. He had no swelling or soreness in the knee, so his activity level was increased from Wednesday.

The Spurs practice again Friday, when Duncan's workout is expected to intensify.

"We basically add a little bit each day," James said.

Duncan injured the knee when he fell awkwardly while attempting a dunk April 11 against Sacramento. Wednesday's game was the fourth he's missed with the injury.

An exam on Tuesday showed the tear in the lateral meniscus in his left knee is healing.

But it's possible Duncan could ultimately face arthroscopic surgery.

"If we do rehab and it doesn't get better or it gets worse, then they will go in." Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Recovery time from such surgery is estimated at about three weeks.

In February, Duncan missed four games with a strained abdominal muscle.

The Spurs, meanwhile, are getting ready for the playoffs as though Duncan, who last year led the team to its first NBA title, won't be in the lineup.

"At this point we have to prepare that way because it's a possibility," point guard Avery Johnson said. "We're all aware of the situation. We've made changes offensively and defensively to deal with it, hopefully on a temporary basis."

The Spurs enter the playoffs with other injured players.

David Robinson has a sore right knee, Sean Elliott has a jammed a finger on his right hand and Terry Porter has a bruised right shoulder.

Popovich abruptly shrugged off the seemingly dismal scenario.

"People have bumps and bruises all year long," he said.

 


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 Gregg Popovich says the Spurs don't plan to rush Tim Duncan back from his injury.
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