Spurs' Tim Duncan exits game vs. Raptors with hyperextended elbow
Tim Duncan was forced from action late during San Antonio's 117-107 home victory over Toronto on Tuesday due to a left elbow injury.
With a little over one minute remaining in regulation and the Spurs leading 109-96, Amir Johnson and Tiago Splitter became entangled in the paint. Johnson pushed Splitter back into Duncan before both Spurs big men fell to the court. Duncan favored his left arm and quickly headed to the locker room, departing with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters during his post-game comments that Duncan had hyperextended his left elbow. It's not yet known whether Duncan will miss any time.
"I think he'll be OK, but what do I know?" Popovich said, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Duncan, 38, has appeared in 58 of San Antonio's 63 games this season and he was the defending champions' stabilizing force during a host of early-season injuries. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season and was selected to the 2015 All-Star Game.
The Spurs, who moved into the West's No. 6 seed on Tuesday, are off until they host LeBron James and the surging Cavaliers on Thursday. Games against the Timberwolves (Sunday), at the Knicks (Tuesday), and at the Bucks (Wednesday) follow.
Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with a team-high 24 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. Tony Parker added 23 points and nine assists.
Kyle Lowry paced the Raptors with a game-high 32 points, five assists and four rebounds. DeMar DeRozan added 21 points, four assists and three rebounds in the loss.
San Antonio improved to 40-23. Toronto fell to 38-26.
