Boris Diaw Nears Return, Splitter Still Questionable

December 18, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Boris Diaw (33) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

With a first round sweep under their belt, this means much needed rest for the San Antonio Spurs, especially those that have been injured, Boris Diaw and Tiago Splitter.  Head Coach Gregg Popovich spoke with Spurs Nations’ Dan McCarney on the status of both Diaw and Splitter.

“(Diaw) did the whole practice,” Popovich said after Tuesday’s practice. “He seems to have come through it pretty good. I would think he’ll be available. (Splitter) is going to take a little bit longer, I think.”

During the regular season, Diaw missed the final four games and also the first round of the playoffs, as he is recovering from having surgery to remove a cyst on his spine.

On the season he is averaging 5.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.

Teammate Tony Parker also reflected on how valuable Diaw is when he is on the floor.

“He’s like another point guard on the floor,” Tony Parker said. “He gets shots for everybody. Very unselfish. Great defense, too.”

Splitter went down in the third quarter of game three against the Los Angeles Lakers.  It would later be determined by the Spurs medical team that it is a sprained left ankle.  They [medical team] provided an unofficial estimate of 7-10 days for him being sidelined.

Everything is falling into place for San Antonio with the break that they are now starting as they await the winner of the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets.  This could provide much needed rest and recuperation for those banged up bodies.

McCarney also stated that an NBA official stated that the second round of the playoffs would not start until possibly Saturday, that being the earliest.