| | 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."
| |  | |
| 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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