Tim Duncan to return from 8-game absence vs. Magic
The San Antonio Spurs will have their anchor back Wednesday night when they take on the Orlando Magic in their final game before the All-Star break.
Tim Duncan will return to game action following an eight-game absence due to a knee issue, the team announced.
The 39-year-old, who's been sidelined since Jan. 22, remains a vital member of the Spurs in his 19th season with the franchise, particularly at the defensive end. He leads the NBA in defensive real plus-minus and individual defensive rating, ranks fourth in net rating (tops among all non-Golden State Warriors), and has captained a Spurs outfit currently allowing fewer points per 100 possessions than any team in the past 12 years.
Despite his relatively modest counting stats - 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, three assists, and 1.3 blocks per game - the Spurs haven't been nearly the same without him.
| Spurs | Before Jan. 22 | Since Jan.22 |
|---|---|---|
| D Rating (rank) | 93.5 (1) | 104.1 (12) |
For the season, San Antonio has been 6.4 points per 100 possessions better with Duncan on the floor, and they suffered two of their eight losses during his eight-game absence (though in fairness, those losses came against the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers).
The Spurs have the league's second-best record (44-8) and an average point differential (13.5) that would rank as the best all-time for a full season. They're carrying a five-game winning streak into Orlando.