Ginobili listed as probable to return Saturday vs. Kings
San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili is considered probable to play Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings, according to the team's injury report.
Ginobili, who's sat out the last 12 games recovering from testicular surgery, received medical clearance to return on Thursday.
The 38-year-old was injured in San Antonio's Feb. 3 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, when a driving Ryan Anderson inadvertently kneed him in the groin. Though the Spurs initially set a tentative target date of March 10 for his return, Ginobili says he's now pain-free - after resting up for a month to get over what he called "significant discomfort" - and ready to jump back into game action.
He's been ramping up his activity over the past several days in preparation, participating in both non-contact shooting drills and team workouts.
"I practiced a little bit," he said Thursday. "I'm feeling good. I've been lifting, conditioning. I'm ready to play."
Before suffering the injury, Ginobili averaged 10 points and 3.3 assists in 43 games, with a 19.1 PER, and what is now the league's best individual net rating for any non-Warriors player.
He plans to wear a protective cup for the remainder of the season.