McCarney: Manu Ginobili expects to make debut against Jazz

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili expects to make his season debut against the Utah Jazz tonight.

Ginobili has missed two consecutive regular season games with back spams. The 35-year-old Ginobili expects to play limited minutes.

“(I feel) much better, of course,” Ginobili said after Saturday’s shootaround at the team practice facility. “Mentally and physically, since I’m going to be able to play. I had a tough week last week with a lot of back pain. I just couldn’t practice with the team. I needed more time.”

“That’s why we rested two more days, so we don’t have concerns. They’re two very isolated cases. That’s why we’re taking anything in a hurry. It’s only the third game of the season.”

Ginobili’s injury likely resulted from a practice during the preseason. A sore foot also sidelined the 11-year veteran during the exhibition slate.

His back spasms — or more specifically, lumbar spasms — were treated with rest, massaging and stretching.

Ginobili averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in the Spurs’ first-round series against Utah.

Hat-tip to Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News.