Manu Ginobili Injury: Updates on Spurs Star's Back and Return

Tyler ConwayJan 9, 2015

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili left Friday's game vs. the Phoenix Suns with back spasms and did not return to the contest. He missed Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves but would play on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards.

Continue for updates.

Ginobili Returns vs. Washington

Tuesday, Jan. 13

After missing one game with back spasms, Manu Ginobili has returned to the Spurs' lineup confirms Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.

Ginobili Out vs. Minnesota

Saturday, Jan. 10

The Spurs provide an update on Ginobili's status:

Ginobili Exits Game with Back Spasms

Friday, Jan. 9

Ginobili was ruled out with back spasms. The Spurs reported the news:

Ginobili left in the third quarter of the contest and would not return.. He had four points and three assists before exiting the game. The Spurs will hand over most of Ginobili's minutes to Marco Belinelli and Danny Green, though it's impossible to tell what Gregg Popovich's rotation will look like on a night to night basis.

Rookie Kyle Anderson, who can play multiple positions, may also briefly slot in on the wings. Ginobili has stayed largely healthy throughout the 2014-15 season, missing games only due to minor injuries or the whims of Popovich.

The Spurs coach is notoriously willing to sit players on the back end of back-to-backs, even when the games are nationally televised. Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have all sat at different points this season for rest.

Ginobili, possibly in his last NBA season, has continued chugging along at nearly the same pace he has in recent campaigns. His overall shooting percentage is down thanks to a dip in effectiveness around the basket, but his stat line has read almost identically each of the last four years. Given his history, it's likely Ginobili has a minor injury and the Spurs will be almost overly cautious in working him back into the fold.

This is a team that knows better than any that sacrificing winter wins can lead to victories in the spring. Don't expect to see Ginobili back until he's beyond 100 percent healthy.

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