Ginobili to miss Spurs’ first game of NBA season

SAN ANTONIO - Reuters

Spurs star Ginobili (R) will miss tonight’s game against the Hornets. EPA photo

Manu Ginobili will miss the NBA season opener for the San Antonio Spurs due to a back ailment, the team said on Oct. 29.

The Spurs kick off their campaign tonight at the New Orleans Hornets but they will do so without Argentine guard Ginobili.

The 35-year-old Ginobili, a three-times NBA champion and two-times All Star, will be re-evaluated in advance of tomorrow’s game against Oklahoma City.

Long season

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has never hesitated to rest ailing players and teammate Tim Duncan was unperturbed by Ginobili’s injury.

“He’ll be fine. It’s a long season, there are way too many games between now and when it really matters,” Duncan told the team’s website (nba.com/spurs).

“We’re going to get him back to 100 percent and get him back on the floor.” Ginobili missed his share of games with injury last season, when he averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 assists.

The Spurs captured the top seed in the Western Conference in 2011-2012 but lost to the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.