Tim Duncan is confident that his ankle will be ready for the playoffs, which begin at the end of April.

?It?s coming along, slowly but surely,? Duncan said. ?I?m getting closer, but still have a ways to go.

?I?d love to be playing and getting our team . . . confident and ready to go, but the guys have been playing great and that?s all you can ask for right now. Hopefully I can get back healthy and help these guys make the push.?

Duncan is averaging 20.9 ppg and 11.4 rpg this season for the Spurs.