OKLAHOMA CITY -- San Antonio Spurs reserve guard Manu Ginobili will sit out Thursday night against Oklahoma City, while Thunder center Kendrick Perkins will return to action.
Ginobili has missed 12 games this season, but just since the All-Star break. When asked during pregame whether Ginobili was sitting because of an injury or to rest, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich simply said: "He's out." Ginobili, who averages 12.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, is not listed on the injury report. The Spurs played Golden State on Wednesday night.
Perkins, a defensive enforcer at 6-foot-10 and 270 pounds, has missed the past 17 games with a left groin strain he suffered against the Miami Heat. He averages 3.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game.