Spurs point guard Tony Parker underwent a precautionary MRI on Thursday for his injured left calf in preparation for the team's Game 3 matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at FedEx Forum, according to the Associated Press. Parker has played through the injury throughout the playoffs and doesn't expect to miss any time during the Western Conference finals.
Parker said the MRI is "just to make sure" he's improving on schedule from the injury, which limited his effectiveness in the final two games of the Spurs' second-round series against Golden State.
The injury doesn't seem to be slowing Parker down too much. He had 15 points and a career-best 18 assists in San Antonio's Game 2 win against Memphis on Tuesday night. The Spurs lead the series 2-0.
Parker is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 assists per game in the two games during the Spurs series with Memphis. He is shooting an impressive .441 from the field and has willed his way through 37.5 minutes per game despite the injury.
Parker's impressive performance in San Antonio's Game 2 win caught the attention of long-time teammate Tim Duncan. The Spurs big-man praised his teammates determination to play through injuries and fatigue while helping lead San Antonio to victory.
"He was unbelievable," Duncan told ESPN after the game. "I know he's exhausted. We asked a lot of him. He was controlling the ball every time down the floor and he was making every right play there was.
"He was finding people, and people knocked down shots for him."
On Thursday, Parker and Duncan were both named to the league's all-NBA teams. Parker (second-team) was named for the third time in his career while Duncan (first-team) was selected for the fourteenth time. The point guard was previously selected in 2009 and 2012 (third-team).
Parker says his calf feels better and the three-day break between games arrives "at a perfect time for me."
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