Tony Parker injury update: 'Possible' Spurs guard returns to court Friday

UPDATE: Tony Parker participated in 5-on-5 Thursday, according to the San-Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald. Just another sign that Popovich might be telling the truth after all.

Tony Parker may be mum about his ankle injury, but San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich at least believes it's "possible" that his All-Star point guard will make his return Friday against the Jazz, according to the San Antonio Express-News' Dan McCarney.

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Parker returned to practice earlier this week and even participated in shootaround before Wednesday's game against the Warriors, so perhaps this isn't just a ploy to misinform the Jazz on Popovich's part.

Parker has missed the Spurs' last eight games since suffering a Grade-2 sprain of his left ankle against the Kings in early March. The 12-year veteran was originally expected to miss at least four weeks with the injury but the timetable quickly seemed pessimistic after he ditched his crutches and walking boot just days after the sprain. And since the first-place Spurs have little reason to rush Parker back from injury, it seems like his miraculous recovery is entirely legitimate.

Parker was shaping up to be a dark horse MVP candidate before the injury with averages of 21 points, 7.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds in just 33 minutes per game.

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