Report: Manu Ginobili's Out for the Season

There are reports that Manu Ginobili's season is over. He will miss the remainder of the regular season with an on-going ankle injury that has worsened, and is also expected to miss the playoffs.

Rotoworld.com and Yahoo.com both reported this as breaking news.

Ginobili has been playing with a bad ankle for much of the season, but it has clearly progressed into a stress fracture in his right leg.

This is horrible news for the Spurs, as Ginobili is traditionally a huge part of San Antonio's three-way of emotional power in the postseason.

He, along with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, brings excellent defensive tenacity to every game, as well as scoring and experience. Veterans Michael Finley and Roger Mason Jr. are expected to be the main benefactors as far as playing time and contributions are concerned.

From a fantasy stand-point, many fantasy owners can finally stick with someone not named Ginobili, while being rest assured that they're playing the right player.

While playing without Ginobili will be extremely difficult, especially if the Spurs plan on making a serious run at the title, it's better that they know this now, rather than in the playoffs or right before they begin.

The Spurs could make a move within the next week or so to pick up a free agent, or even call someone up from the NBA Developmental League. Luke Jackson is a solid candidate, considering he is a scorer and plays both guard and forward.

There is no extended word on what kind of impact this injury could have on Ginobili's availability for summer basketball games, but all signs point to a total "shutdown" until he reaches a full recovery.