"Spurs forward Tim Duncan will miss the team's upcoming three-game road trip as he recovers from a sprained ankle sustained in Monday's game against Golden State.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said that Duncan's injury is between a grade 1 and 2 ankle sprain. He will miss games at potential Western Conference playoff foes Denver on Wednesday, Portland on Friday and Memphis on Sunday.

"He had an MRI this morning that confirmed what the X-rays showed last night. It's structurally looks good," Buford said. "We will have a better idea of what the timeline is over the next 48 hours. But he won't travel on the trip and he'll be receiving daily treatment here."

Buford said a prognosis on how much time Duncan could miss could be coming after the swelling on the injury lessens — likely in the next 48 to 72 hours.

"Once we see what the swelling occurs, we'll have a better idea of the timeline," Buford said. "That will probably dictate the time back, just how he reacts to treatment and how it swells."

But with the Spurs holding a seven-game lead with 12 games remaining, they have a cushion to allow Duncan time to recover before the playoffs begin in mid-April.

"I think our history and particularly Pop's treatment of players is clear. We will always err on the side of caution and what's in the best interests in the health of the players," Buford said. "So whether we were going for the No. 1 seed or not, it wouldn't impact our medical decision."

Duncan, 34, was using crutches when he left the team's training center on Tuesday.

Spurs forward-center DeJuan Blair, who missed Monday's game with a sprained left wrist, has been cleared to make the trip and will likely play against the Nuggets, Buford said."