San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker updates injury timetable

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker spoke to the San Antonio Express-News about his recovery from a torn quad.

The San Antonio Spurs lost point guard Tony Parker in the second round of the 2017 NBA playoffs to a torn quadriceps. The team defeated the Houston Rockets without him, but got swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

Parker spoke to the San Antonio Express-News about his recovery from injury. He gave an update on his return timetable and what he’s doing to move forward:

“It’s OK. It’s getting better and better.”

“I’m starting to run like a little bit. I’m walking pretty well. I think it’s still going to be a long process. It’s still going to take like another four or five months, but I am very happy with the progresses. I am advancing in my rehab.”

It’s a positive that Parker is able to move around a little more, even if he’s far from a comeback. At age 35, it’s about a slow and steady recovery that lets him return at full strength.

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The four or five-month timetable lines Parker up for a December or January return. That means the Spurs will go without him for about the first two months of the 2017-18 season, maybe three.

In the Frenchman’s absence, there are a handful of point guards available to take over. From Patty Mills to Dejounte Murray and Derrick White, they all have the ability to handle the ball. The same goes for Kawhi Leonard, who played the distributor role often in the 2016-17 season.

Parker came off a year of some of his lowest stats since his rookie year. He averaged 10.1 points per game, 4.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds — the latter of which was a career low, as well as 25.2 minutes per game. This happened in his 16th NBA season.

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Parker will earn approximately $15.5 million in the final year of his deal in 2017-18. He will hit free agency in the 2018 offseason.