Though the Spurs have released no official timetable on Tim Duncan’s return from a sprained left ankle, coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday he expects to have the two-time MVP back in time for the start of the playoffs.
Duncan did not accompany the team on the three-game road trip opening tonight in Denver, instead remaining home in San Antonio in a walking boot. An MRI taken Tuesday revealed no structural damage in the ankle.
The initial best guess was that Duncan might miss two weeks. “Once he gets back on the court in a couple of days, we’ll be able to tell more,” Popovich said. He suggested Duncan might miss four or five games.