Tiago Splitter Injury: Updates on Spurs Forward's Back and Return
Updates from Wednesday, Dec. 10
Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News provides an update on Tiago Splitter's status for Wednesday night's game against the Knicks:
Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 18
Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News provides an update on Tiago Splitter ahead of tomorrow's game against Cleveland:
Updates from Saturday, Nov. 14
The Spurs announced an update on Tiago Splitter's status for Saturday's game:
"Marco Belinelli (mild strain, right groin), Patty Mills (right shoulder surgery) and Tiago Splitter (tightness, right calf) are listed as out for tonight’s game at Sacramento
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Updates from Thursday, Nov. 13
Tiago Splitter's status for Friday's game against the Lakers has been confirmed by the team's official Twitter account:
Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 11
Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News has an update on Splitter's status:
Updates from Thursday, Nov. 6
Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express News provides details on Tiago Splitter's injury:
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported on Splitter's status for Thursday's game vs. Houston:
Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5
Tiago Splitter is primed to make his debut tonight against the Atlanta Hawks according to Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com:
Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News had an update on Splitter after the game:
Original Text
Already set to miss the San Antonio Spurs' season opener against the Dallas Mavericks with a strained calf, center Tiago Splitter is also dealing with an undisclosed back injury, head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters Tuesday night.
Jeff McDonald, covering the game for the San Antonio Express-News reported the news:
Splitter, 29, suffered a strained right soleus during training camp and missed the entire preseason. The Brazilian was one of three key contributors ruled out for Tuesday night's opener, with an eye infection holding Kawhi Leonard back and Patty Mills still rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery.
The Spurs are arguably the NBA's most conservative team when it comes to nursing regular-season injuries. Popovich has been known to sit his high-profile players whenever he sees fit and will often keep injured players out longer than expected, taking a long-term view of the 82-game season.
Splitter, who has emerged as a solid two-way complement to Tim Duncan, missed 23 games last season, most notably with a shoulder injury. There is no word on when Splitter will be expected back in the lineup this time around, especially with the back ailment combining with the calf strain. Popovich did not indicate when Splitter first noticed pain in his back.
Boris Diaw has spent most of the preseason starting in Splitter's place, a trend that should continue Tuesday night. Marco Belinelli will slot in for Leonard.
After opening with a home tilt against Dallas, the Spurs have Wednesday and Thursday off before taking on the Suns in Phoenix. There is no word on whether Splitter will travel with the team. San Antonio's next home game is Nov. 5 against the Atlanta Hawks, which would seem like the earliest possibility for Splitter's return.
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