Manu Ginobili Injury: Spurs Star To Return to Lineup After Hand Injury

Manu Ginobili is active and expected to play Saturday night against the New Jersey Nets, according to Jeff McDonald of MySanAntonio.com.

It will be his first return to the court since he broke a bone in his left hand back on January 2.

The San Antonio Spurs' star shooting guard is most likely going to come off the bench and see limited action in his first game back. 

This is great news for the Spurs, who are in the midst of a six-game winning streak but just two games into their brutal nine-game road stretch before the All-Star break.

San Antonio certainly isn’t the youngest team in the league and it’s no longer easy for Tim Duncan and Tony Parker to put the team on their back every night after so many deep playoff runs throughout the years.

That’s why it was critical for Manu to get back to the court as soon as possible and start playing himself back into shape, helping San Antonio to regain that third go-to player who can alter the outcome of a contest.

Ginobili acknowledged the first few games back aren’t going to be his best, but it’s necessary for him to get up to speed, as reported by The Associated Press.

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"I don't have great expectations for the first few games. I just want to contribute, help a little bit, don't change anything of what the team's doing, just try to fit in again," Ginobili said.

"I think at the beginning I'm not going to play 30 minutes (but) come back slowly. I mean I wasn't in great shape even before the surgery, so not going to be now."

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As per the report, Ginobili was ready to play two games ago, but the Spurs have been doing so well and the extra time allowed his hand a full month from the surgery date to heal.

Coach Gregg Popovich said it doesn’t matter that his team is rolling without their starting shooting guard, he’s a key to the team and important to bring back.

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"When Manu's ready, you bring him back, so that made it easy," Popovich said. "He's Manu and when he's ready to go, you don't care if you're winning, losing, it doesn't matter. He's coming back."

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The Spurs are looking like one of the best teams in the league yet again this year and having a fully healthy and ready roster come playoff time is crucial. They are going to do their best to avoid another first-round disappointment and having Manu at 100 percent health and in shape is critical to that goal.