Tony Parker Injury: Updates on Spurs Star's Knee

Tony Parker will miss the San Antonio Spurs' game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday with a swollen knee, according to head coach Gregg Popovich, via the Bulls' official Twitter account.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 11:10 a.m. ET by Adam Wells

For the first time in what feels like months, the Spurs will have their big three, including Tony Parker, on the floor Wednesday night against Cleveland. 

Head coach Gregg Popovich made the announcement Wednesday morning (via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News).

Credit Popovich for understanding what this team needs to do in order to keep them healthy and fresh for the postseason. This is an older group that is going to get dinged up a lot over the course of 82 games, so you have to play thing safe. 

---End of update---

The Bulls tweeted on Monday:

"

#Spurs coach Popovich reveals Tony Parker is also out tonight due to a swollen knee. #SASvsCHI

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 12, 2013"

The news comes after Parker posted 29 points and 11 assists in the Spurs' 111-86 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

In fact, the 30-year-old point guard has racked up a combined 91 points and 27 assists in his last three games, going 33-of-60 from the floor in the process.

For the season, Parker is averaging 20.7 points (11th in the NBA) and 7.7 assists (sixth) while shooting 54 percent. He leads all qualifying point guards in field-goal percentage.

Obviously, the five-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion is a huge part of the Spurs' success. He's played in 50 of their 52 games thus far and he leads one of the best teams in the league.

The Spurs have gone 40-12 this season, currently holding the NBA's best winning percentage. They not only rank fourth in points per game, they also rank ninth in points allowed per contest.

Third-year guard Gary Neal figures to get the most playing time in Parker's absence. The 28-year-old Towson product from Baltimore is averaging 9.6 points in 22.7 minutes per game. 

The Spurs hope Parker can get back to the floor relatively soon as they vie for the Western Conference's No. 1 seed and beyond. He's the engine that runs Popovich's squad.