Spurs’ Parker out 2-4 weeks with sprained ankle

Posted Nov 8 2008 4:06PM

Before his injury, Tony Parker was leading the league in scoring at 33.3 points a game. David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker will miss two to four weeks with a sprained left ankle he suffered in the Spurs’ 99-83 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday.

X-rays were negative on Parker, who coach Gregg Popovich said will probably be out two to four weeks. Parker, who scored a career-high 55 points in a win over Minnesota on Wednesday, was expected to undergo an MRI on Saturday.

Parker was diagnosed with a moderate lateral ankle sprain, said Dr. Paul Saenz, a team physician. Teammate Tim Duncan said Parker walked out on crutches limping.

Parker’s loss leaves the Spurs only with only one of their “Big Three” — Parker, Duncan and Manu Ginobili, who’ve led the Spurs to three NBA titles since 2003. Ginobili is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and isn’t expected to be back until December at the earliest.

Parker’s follow-up to his brilliant game against the Timberwolves didn’t last 10 minutes. He rolled his left ankle with 2:06 left in the first quarter on a drive to the basket, missing the shot before crouching and wincing over on the baseline.

Parker got up, limped a few steps behind the basket and then gently bent down again. The Spurs said X-rays on Parker were negative.

“The NBA is a challenge,” Popovich said. “Even when players are healthy, it’s a challenge.”

It’s certainly been a challenge without Ginobili. With him out, the Spurs have leaned almost exclusively on Parker and Duncan for offense.

The duo has been responsible for 59 percent of San Antonio’s scoring entering Friday’s game, and had taken 55 percent of the team’s shots.Parker was 2-of-5 from the field and scored four points before leaving the game.

He entered Friday leading the league in scoring at 33.3 points a game.