The San Antonio Spurs begin a three-game Western Conference road trip without point guard Tony Parker who is nursing a sore hip suffered last Sunday in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Parker is ruled out versus the Phoenix Suns today, Thursday, and remains uncertain versus the Los Angeles Lakers Friday and the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
According to ESPN, Parker left in the third quarter versus the Mavs and was unable to check back in to the game.
However, it was not the first time Parker had to miss games this season because of the injured hip so the Spurs are already facing a familiar issue.
Before leaving in the matchup against Dallas, Parker was San Antonio's leading scorer in their games versus the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which both ended in victories.
In the game against the Pistons, the 33-year-old point guard had 31 points, while facing Cleveland he had 24 points.
Now the Spurs, who won in their past 11 outings, will have to go and try to extend their winning streak without one of their most reliable players.
Expected to step up in Parker's absence is Patty Mills, who is used to have the reserve role but will likely be getting the starting nod now that Parker is sidelined.
Another player from the bench that can get Parker's minutes is fellow veteran Manu Ginobili.
Both Mills and Ginobili can score on any given night and are also good passers, which is very important to San Antonio's offense powered by splendid ball movement.
The Spurs are continually eyeing to take the top spot in the Western Conference and National Basketball Association (NBA) currently held by the Golden State Warriors.
San Antonio holds a 36–6 record as of the moment, two and a half games behind the Warriors who are at 39–4.
