Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express-News reports that David Robinson is optimistic about a return to the court, possibly as soon as Friday.

Robinson has a partially torn left medial meniscus, which he suffered in Game 1.

Right now Robinson is listed as day-to-day for Game 3.

"I'm hoping I'll be ready by Friday ? and all indications are probably I will be," Robinson said. "Today it's just very disappointing. I felt very good coming into the playoffs. I thought I was going to have a great playoff run, and I still do. This is a little bit of a setback. I didn't expect this."

With Robinson set to retire at the end of the season, he has more incentive to get back out on the court as soon as possible.

"I want to get back out there fast," Robinson said. "This being a playoff situation, I would probably be inclined to play with a lot more discomfort. I don't have a choice (now), but when it comes to being my choice, there's no question I'll be out there."

The Spurs are unhappy with the timing, but know it is out of their hands.

"(Sunday) at practice, he was limping a little bit," Malik Rose said. "But I didn't think he did anything significant. The timing is unfortunate."

"I'm disappointed, but life isn't fair," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It's something we can't worry about."

Robinson says this is just another challenge for the Spurs.

"This is part of the challenge of trying to be champions," Robinson said. "You become champions because you overcome some things."