The San Antonio Spurs have been fairly fortunate when it comes to injuries since Tim Duncan has been in the league. The four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP and two-time regular-season MVP has pretty much been able to play through any nagging pains and avoid missing substantial time - other than in the 2000 playoffs.
Well, the Spurs were undoubtedly holding their breath on Sunday night when The Franchise collapsed into a heap after tangling with Portland's James Jones in the second quarter. Duncan lay on the floor for a few minutes, writhing in pain and clutching his knee.
And just like that, it seemed the Spurs' chance to finally repeat as NBA champs was gone.
"Anybody going down is scary," San Antonio's Francisco Elson said. "But especially if it's Tim Duncan."
"It looked bad," Tony Parker admitted.
But all seems to be well despite how it looked. The preliminary diagnosis is a bruised right knee and sprained right ankle but no apparent ligament damage.
Duncan is set to undergo an MRI just to be sure later Monday.
"It's more scary than anything else," coach Gregg Popovich said.
"I hope he won't be out for long, but he will probably miss a little bit of time."
Expect Duncan, who is averaging 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks to miss at least a few games.
Yet San Antonio, which has the league's second-best record, may be more situated than ever to withstand a short absence of its superstar. Tony Parker (20.7 ppg) and Manu Ginobili (19.4 ppg) are having their best seasons as San Antonio has suddenly become a good offensive team.
In fact, the Spurs are allowing 92.1 points a game this season, up from 90.1 last season and 88.8 the year before. But their scoring differential is 9.5, which is more than either of the past two seasons.
They're averaging 101.6 points per game, their most in years.
So don't necessarily expect a big drop-off if the Big Fundamental is only out a few games.
MARBURY'S DAD DIES: Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was greeted with tragic news following New York's loss to the Suns on Sunday night: Marbury's father, Donald, died during the game.Madison Square Garden and left the arena because of chest pains. Donald was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of an apparent heart attack.
The Knicks point guard was told of his father's death after the loss and could miss at least a full week of games on bereavement leave.
Marbury's aunt, Helen, died two weeks ago and he missed the funeral because he felt he needed to be with the Knicks.
New York next plays Wednesday at New Jersey - bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.
KING JAMES STILL OUT: LeBron James missed his second straight game Sunday with a second-degree sprain to his left index finger as his Cavs were blown out in Boston.
James was hurt in the second quarter Wednesday night in a loss to Detroit when Nazr Mohammed slapped at the ball as James began to shoot.
James leads the NBA with 30.7 points per game. He's also averaging 7.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists. He is listed as day to day and his status for Tuesday's game against New Jersey is unknown; bet on the Cavs-Nets game at WagerWeb.com.
RAPTORS HURTING BIG TIME: Toronto expects to be without star Chris Bosh (groin injury) for a third consecutive game Monday night against Charlotte, and he won't be the only Raptor not playing.
Andrea Bargnani landed awkwardly on his left leg when his dunk attempt was blocked in Saturday's loss to Washington. He did not participate in Sunday's practice.
The team is calling the injury a hyper-extended knee.
Meanwhile, Toronto point guard T.J. Ford's may not play as well tonight. Ford has played sparingly in two games since returning form a stinger he suffered five games ago in Dallas.
"It depends how he feels," Toronto coach Sam Mitchell said.
Bet on the Raptors-Bobcats at WagerWeb.com.
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