Skip to content

Belinelli out again Wednesday, Spurs playing Big 3 on back-to-back

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Gregg Popovich may have noticed the Western Conference standings.

With the San Antonio Spurs sitting in seventh in the conference and just four games up on the ninth seed, Popovich will make the uncharacteristic move of playing his Big Three on both ends of a back-to-back Wednesday.

Marco Belinelli will be sidelined for a second consecutive game due to a mild left groin strain and Kawhi Leonard remains on the shelf with a torn ligament in his right hand, but no other Spurs are listed on the injury report for the team's outing against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Spurs played on the road against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, so it's surprising to see Tim Duncan (26 minutes), Tony Parker (31, recently back from a hamstring injury) and Manu Ginobili (23, dealing with back spasms) all playing against the Hornets. 

The Spurs are notorious for resting players, but their 23-16 start marks their worst in the Duncan-Popovich era.

Of the team's 12 back-to-backs so far this season, Duncan has played in both ends just seven times, Ginboili six and Parker five. All three have suited up in both games just twice, so Wednesday is a rare treat.

Belinelli is averaging 9.7 points in 29 games and had been drawing occasional starts with Leonard sidelined.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox