The San Antonio Spurs will have an inevitable void in their starting lineup for the first time in 16 years, as point guard Tony Parker will not be there to suit up due to a ruptured left quadriceps tendon.
His absence will end an NBA-record 221 straight playoff games played with the same franchise, marking the first time the Spurs had laced them up without Parker since May 27, 2001, according to ESPN's Stats and Info.
But even without an older Parker, the Spurs have been dominant throughout the regular season and postseason, surprisingly boasting an even better record when the French international is not with the team.
San Antonio will be forced to go with either Patty Mills or Dejounte Murray as the starting point guard, according to head coach Gregg Popovich‘s style of choice for Game 3.
Mills is a reliable veteran with excellent range (41.4 percent from three this season) and crafty maneuverability of the basketball, yet a gritty defender when he needs to be.
Murray, a talented rookie with an excellent all-around game and strong size at the point guard position at 6-foot-5, has shown flashes of brilliance during the season and could provide a bigger presence against the likes of James Harden on defense.
Both players have started eight games during the season and present a vastly different option than Parker, who has run the San Antonio offense throughout his 16-year career.
Teammate Pau Gasol sent his get-well wishes upon hearing the news of his injury. Gasol is bound to notch yet another start after a brilliant 13-rebound, four-block performance in Game 2, following the benching of David Lee.
Get well soon brother, we will miss you #9 pic.twitter.com/TkizXgTtHz
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) May 4, 2017
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