Stress fracture sidelines Ginobili for season
The San Antonio Spurs’ playoff hopes took a severe hit on Monday when the team announced star guard Manu Ginobili will miss the remainder of the season, including the playoffs, because of a stress fracture in his right leg.
Ginobili experienced stiffness in his right leg during Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. An MRI and CT scan taken on Monday revealed the stress fracture.
Spurs officials said Ginobili will continue to be treated with rest and rehab. Surgery is not currently planned.
Ginobili missed the first 12 games of the season after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a similar problem with his left ankle. The right ankle began bothering him shortly before the All-Star break and he missed 19 games before returning on March 25.
The Spurs’ medical staff had thought five weeks of rest would allow Ginobili’s ankle enough time to heal, but he never completely regained his explosiveness. He complained of soreness after Sunday’s loss.
With Tim Duncan also slowed by sore knees, the Spurs have lost seven of their past 13 games. They entered Monday holding the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed, but can slip as far as eighth depending on how they do in their final six games.
