Spurs guard Tony Parker out for road trip with back injury
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Spurs guard Tony Parker has his lowest assists per game average in four seasons. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker will not travel with the team on its upcoming road trip because of a back injury, the team announced Monday.
The team said Parker underwent an MRI exam on Monday that revealed a sprained facet joint on his left side.
Parker will miss games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
Parker left Sunday's 112-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter with back spasms after playing nine minutes and scoring 10 points. He will be listed as day-to-day after the game against the Mavericks.
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Parker is averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 65 games this season for the Spurs. San Antonio has a 4.5-game lead over the Oklahoma City on Thursday for the top spot in the Western Conference.