Tony Parker injures shoulder, should play Sunday (Update)

Mar. 27, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker falls to the ground during game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Update July 29 12:45 am: Tony Parker will play against Team USA today at 8:30 am CST. Head coach Vince Collet said Parker is feeling a little better.

“Tony is a little better compared to his shoulder injury,” Collet said. “Unfortunately this shoulder injury prevented him from training with the team all week … the situation over the last week has improved little, but so we will rely on it for the tournament progresses and (hope it) gets better with every game.”

July 27 9:00 am: In direct contrast to his excellent season, a season where Tony Parker posted career high marks in assists and free throw percentage while coming dangerously close in assist percentage and turnover percentage, this offseason has been awful.

First, Parker was unlucky enough to be in a New York City club on the night of the fateful exchange between Chris Brown and Drake. His conscious decision to protect his friends led to an injury that resulted in damage to 99% of his left cornea. Shooting 26% in preliminary play, as a direct result of his new goggles, has been bad enough.

But now — this? Parker recently suffered a shoulder injury in France’s loss to Australia. Don’t be alarmed, however; the injury appears to be minor, a point that head coach Vince Collet reaffirmed (via Basket News).

“He could shoot today and (he) will go to the United States Sunday,” Collet said.

Whew. That’s a relief. Parker can’t afford another setback in an otherwise fruitless offseason.