Guard Greg Buckner will play in tonight's season opener against Detroit at American Airlines Center. But guard Adrian Griffin is expected to watch the game in street clothes.

Griffin said he tweaked his back - causing back spasms - doing some extra work after Saturday's practice. He has received stem, ice and heat treatments the past three days but was still walking gingerly Monday when he left American Airlines Center.

"I'm not too concerned, because I feel it's getting better," Griffin said. "I want it to be ready for [tonight]; that's my biggest concern.

"If I can get some of this pain out of the left side, I'll be ready. But I'm going to see how it goes [this] morning."

While playing for the Boston Celtics, Griffin missed 29 games last year because of back-related issues. But he said there's no connection to last year and what he's experiencing now.