Duncan Feeling ‘Much Better’ After Grinding Out Game 1

May 6, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during player introductions before game one of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the AT

Tim Duncan did not look like himself on Monday Night, despite having a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. Duncan was fighting the flu and did all he could to grind through it during game one against the Golden State Warriors.

Duncan talked with Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News and stated that the sickness hit him late in the game and it was best for the team if he were not out there.

“Rough night last night, getting over this sickness,” Duncan said. “It kind of caught up to me later in the game. But probably the best thing for the team was me was going out.

“I couldn’t (play) at that point. I wanted to, but I was hurting us out there. I couldn’t move. It was the right thing to do for me to get out of there. I knew I’d have some difficulty. I just didn’t think it would be at that level.”

Gregg Popovich also chimed in stating that Duncan was not going to let him know of his health. So, Popovich took control and pulled Duncan from the game and sent him into the locker room with 4:31 left in the fourth. Here is what he told McCarney:

“It became pretty apparent that he wasn’t going to tell me the truth anymore,” Popovich said, “so I had to pull the plug myself. He’s a competitor and he didn’t want to come off the floor.”

He did return in the overtime periods but played sparingly.  After a late work-out on Tuesday, his health is starting to sound better.

“Much better today,” Duncan said. “Another day and a half, I hope to have it out of my system.”