Yet, what should have been a moving experience for Parker stopped moving altogether in the fourth quarter. His groin tightened, slowing him a step and leading Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to sit him on the bench for the remaining 4:23 while the Lakers rallied.

"I wanted to play, but Pop was scared to risk it," Parker said. "(Terry Porter) is already hurt and if I get hurt, too, then we have no point guards. That wouldn't be a good thing."

Parker will be back on his feet tonight. He practiced for 45 minutes Tuesday, then spent the remainder of the Spurs' workout riding a stationary bike.

Though not considered a serious injury, Parker's groin has periodically bothered him since he strained it in the preseason game against Miami on Oct. 23. He tweaked it again Sunday after tripping over Robert Horry in the first quarter.