NBA - Duncan MRI is negative

SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - The San Antonio Spurs can breathe a sigh of relief.

MRI scans on Tim Duncan's knee and ankle injury came back negative on Monday after he collapsed and fell during Sunday's 100-79 win over Portland.

Duncan, who played for Team USA in the 2004 Olympics, got tangled up with Portland's James Jones jockeying for position in the second quarter, and as he fell to the floor grabbing his knee, there were real fears the perennial All-Star would be lost for an extended period.

However, Monday's scans found no significant damage.

He will miss Wednesday's clash with Texas rival Dallas, but his availability beyond that is not yet known, Spurs spokesman Tom James told PA SportsTicker in an e-mail.

"The good news is that it will be short term," James said. "We just don't know yet if it will be a game or two or a week or two."

Duncan is still sore in his right knee but will be listed with only a sprained right ankle, James said.

Duncan is averaging 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game this season for the Spurs, who lead the Southwest Division with a 15-3 record.



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