Spurs' Splitter probable to return Wednesday
Limited to just 10 minutes of action all season due to a mysterious, lingering calf injury that may be a nerve issue, San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter finally appears ready to return. The Spurs have listed him as probable for Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks.
Splitter averaged 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, when the Spurs rode an incredibly deep roster to an NBA title, proving that championship teams don't need to be top-heavy or possessing a singularly-dominant player. They succeeded by spreading out minutes and touches among an array of talented role players.
That depth has been hijacked by injuries this season, Splitter's chief among them. After not playing a single player for more the 30 minutes a game last season, the Spurs have three players (Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan) over 30 this season, with a fourth (Danny Green at 29) not far off.
Coach Gregg Popovich said earlier in the season the Spurs wouldn't be able to rest starters and win as much as they did last year if their reserves didn't get healthy.
Well, they're 15-6 and their reserves are just now starting to get healthy. Look out.