Manu Ginobili Injury: Spurs Guard Likely To Return Saturday Against Nets

Manu Ginobili will play Saturday against the New Jersey Nets, according to Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press. How many he minutes receives while dealing with his still-healing broken finger remains to be seen, however. He was able to practice Friday for the San Antonio Spurs.

Manu Ginobili will play, though probably not much, for the Spurs on Saturday at New Jersey after practicing Friday in New York.

— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) February 10, 2012

Ginobili has been on the bench since early January after breaking his left pinkie finger in the second quarter of a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. His return comes just over five weeks later, beating the 6-8 week prognosis he was originally given.

The Spurs have been up and down in Ginobili's absence, though moreso the former lately. The team is currently on a six game winning streak, including a win over an upstart Philadelphia 76ers squad on Wednesday.

For more on the Spurs, check out Pounding the Rock. For more on basketball in general, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA page.

Manu Ginobili has been out since early January with a broken finger, but the veteran guard for the San Antonio Spurs is expected to return this Saturday when the team takes on the New Jersey Nets.

Via MySanAntonio.com:

Speaking before tonight’s game against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, coach Gregg Popovich called Ginobili "likely" for the game against the Nets. In fact, Popovich said Ginobili — who will miss his 22nd game since fracturing his shooting hand Jan. 2 in Minnesota — tried to bargain his way onto the floor in Philadelphia.

Popovich refused to say Ginobli would play for sure.

Ginobili still needs to participate in a full-scale practice and with an extra day off between the Philadelphia and New Jersey games, that will come either Thursday or Friday.

For more on the Spurs, check out Pounding the Rock. For more on basketball in general, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA page

Manu Ginobili has been out since early January with a broken finger, but the veteran guard for the San Antonio Spurs is expected to return within a week. The Argentinian guard has been cleared to get back to basketball, but he'll still be held out until he's back into basketball shape.

The Spurs are notorious for not releasing much information when it comes to the injury status of their players, but head coach Greg Popovich gave the media an update on Monday regarding his All-Star guard.

"The doctors say he's healed and healthy," Popovich said before the Spurs' 89-84 win over the Grizzlies. "It's just a matter of conditioning and timing, rhythm and confidence, all those things right now. I'd expect him in the next week or so."

Ginobili has already been taking part in shooting drills and the like as he works to get his shot back, a good sign for those counting on him to be 100 percent as soon as he returns to the court.

For more on the Spurs, check out Pounding the Rock. For more on basketball in general, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA page.

The San Antonio Spurs received some bad news on Wednesday, as guard Manu Ginobili, the team's top offensive perimeter threat, will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken finger. The news, announced by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, could keep Ginobili out until March.

Ginobili suffered the injury on the pinkie finger of his left hand in the Spurs' loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. He immediately announced that he would likely miss a few weeks, but no formal timetable was announced until Tuesday, when he was examined by team doctors.

Ginobili's absence will be a blow to a Spurs team that relies so heavily on his scoring and playmaking ability. He will likely be absent for the Spurs' annual nine-game rodeo trip in February, during which the team has often made its move up the standings. James Anderson will see more time in his absence.

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