Spurs’ Tim Duncan (knee) will not play Monday against Warriors

Spurs forward Tim Duncan will not play vs. the Golden State Warriors.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan will not play against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, the team announced.

Duncan is being held out due to soreness in his right knee. The matchup between the Spurs and Warriors is highly anticipated being the first meeting between the top two teams in the NBA.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has a history of resting star players for big games during the regular season. Popovich was fined by the NBA in November 2012 for resting four players for a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat.

• DATA DIMES: Analyzing Spurs-Warriors matchup by the numbers

Popovich sent Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Danny Green back to San Antonio before the game in a Miami, a game which the Spurs almost won. 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, a former Spurs teammate of Duncan, had an interesting take on his absence.

Steve Kerr on Duncan sitting out Monday's game: He 'is 57 years old' and needs a day off occasionally.

— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) January 24, 2016

Duncan, now in his 19th season, is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.