"Though the Spurs have released no official timetable on Tim Duncan's return from a sprained left ankle, coach Gregg Popovich said Wednesday he expects to have the two-time MVP back in time for the start of the playoffs.

The initial best guess on Duncan's return, offered by Spurs TV analyst Sean Elliott an hour or so after Duncan sprained the ankle Monday against Golden State, was approximately two weeks.

"I'm hoping it won't be that long," Popovich said. "A good four or five games for sure. Beyond that, I won't really know until we get back.""