As recently as a couple days ago, it appeared the Phoenix Suns would have to take on nemesis San Antonio without starting center Robin Lopez, who has been out for five weeks with a bulging disk. But now, there’s a chance that Lopez could be back as soon as Game 1.
Report: Robin Lopez Might Play In Game 1 Against Spurs
Lopez went through a full court scrimmage in practice on Sunday and coach Alvin Gentry said he could see some action in Monday’s Game 1, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
Suns center Robin Lopez is a "maybe" for Game 1 of the San Antonio series after participating today in his second team practice and first full-court scrimmaging since going out with a bulging disk five weeks ago.
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Asked if he played any full-court action today, Gentry said, "He did some. As I said, he made some progress. I wouldn't count on him playing 30 minutes tomorrow, no."
At all?
"Maybe," Gentry said. "Who knows? We'll have to see how he is after today."
SB Nation’s Suns blog Bright Side of the Sun also attended practice and was a bit more pessimistic about Lopez’s chances of playing tonight.
It very well could be that Alvin is just playing some mind games here and I would be shocked if Robin played in the first two games and yet, you never know.
But if Lopez does feel healthy by gametime, Bright Side of the Sun writes that he should play.
If he responds well and looks and feels good on Monday, why not suit him up? We know he hates sitting by the water cooler. Even if he only comes in for 5 or 10 minutes his first time out, that's one big step closer to getting him back on the court for 25 per game.
Getting Lopez back would obviously be a huge plus for the Suns, who could really use him to guard Tim Duncan.
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