Spurs point guard Tony Parker suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon during San Antonio’s Game 2 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. He will require season-ending surgery to repair it, according to The San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald.
It marked the first major injury of his illustrious 15-year career.
Parker went down with a non-contact injury when he landed awkwardly on his left foot after a floater in the third quarter of the Spurs’ 121-93 victory over the Rockets. He immediately went to the ground and held his left knee while the AT&T Center fell silent. Parker was unable to put any weight on his injured leg and was carried to the locker room by two teammates.
Parker’s injury is a devastating blow to a Spurs team already light at the point guard spot. In his absence, Patty Mills will likely get the nod to start at the one, with rookie Dejounte Murray being tossed into the fray. Jonathon Simmons may also be an option at point guard.
The injury came at the absolute worst time for Parker, who was rebounding off of a poor shooting night against Houston in Game 1. The veteran guard had scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, nailing both of his three-point attempts before his injury. Parker missed extended time just once in his career, after suffering a hand injury midway through the 2009-10 season.
The 34-year-old had been a linchpin in the Spurs’ string of sustained success for over a decade. He started at point guard nearly every season since he was drafted in 2001, helping guide San Antonio to each of its four championships in 2003, ‘05, ‘07, and ‘14.
The veteran leader signed a three-year deal in 2014 and has one more season left on his contract worth $15.4 million.