SEATTLE ? Tim Duncan flew to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Tuesday to mourn the death of his father, leaving the Spurs without their superstar forward when they resume their playoff series against Seattle tonight.

Duncan's father, William, died Monday at the home of one of his daughters in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Duncan left Monday's practice early after his wife, Amy, arrived with news about his father.

"We feel for Timmy and his whole family," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "This is obviously a very trying time. It's just something Timmy's going to deal with, and we're all going to help him get through it."

The Spurs helped arrange a chartered flight for Duncan to allow him to return home to his native Virgin Islands to be with his family.