Ankle Problems: Tony Parker's Status Unclear before NBA Finals Begin
Tony Parker has battled multiple injuries in his career and he's facing another one with an ankle injury days before the NBA Finals between his San Antonio Spurs and the defending champions Miami Heat.
The Frenchman missed the second half of their clinching win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals because of a sore left ankle.
''I have no idea,'' Popovich said via a Yahoo Sports report. ''I don't know what the deal is.''
''He came to me about eight minutes on the clock (before the second half) and said he couldn't go,'' Popovich said in the same article. ''He couldn't cut. He was limping on it. He couldn't cut sideways or forward really.''
However, in another Yahoo article also on Sunday, NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski stated that Parker is "should be ready to play" for Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship series.
With the opening game still on Thursday (Friday in Australia), Parker has enough time to rest the ankle. If Parker can't get the clearance for Game 1, back-up point guards Patty Mills and Cory Joseph will try to fill the void. Even veteran swingman Manu Ginobili played the 1-spot against OKC after Parker went down.
But against the Heat, the Spurs need a healthy and 100 per cent Parker to avenge the last season's loss in the championship series.