"Manu Ginobili is good to go.

That was the pronouncement coach Gregg Popovich made after a spirited, hour-long practice in midtown Manhattan this morning. The Spurs' star guard will make his return from a broken left hand Saturday night in New Jersey.

How did Popovich know it was time?

"When Manu's ready, you bring him back," Popovich said. "He's Manu. When he's ready to go, you don't care if you're winning, losing. It doesn't matter, he's coming back."

Ginobili missed 22 games after fracturing his fifth metacarpal Jan. 2 in a loss at Minnesota. The Spurs went 15-7 in his absence, rising to second in the Western Conference.

Needless to say, Ginobili is eager to get back on the floor.

"I want to play," Ginobili said. "I need to be there. I can't play one-on-one all year long. I need to feel the game and play 5 on 5.""