Injured Spurs guard Tony Parker is back with the team for the first time in three weeks since suffering an ankle sprain. The team announced that Parker is likely to play in the Spurs' game against the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

The former All-star has been absent in eight games since injuring his left ankle in San Antonio's victory over the Sacramento Kings on March 1. His return comes about one week sooner than the Spurs originally estimated.

Parker is officially listed on the Spurs injury report as "probable" for Friday's matchup with Utah. The 30-year-old pointt guard is having the best season of his career, averaging a team best 21 points and 7.6 assists.

San Antonio went 6-2 without their starting point guard to keep a slim lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for first place in the Western Conference. The Spurs may now be fully healthy leading up to not only the playoffs, but a marquee matchup against the streaking Miami Heat and may pose to be the greatest challenge in Miami's quest for the single-season consecutive wins record.