Manu Ginobili to Sit Out Season Opener Due to Back Pain


The San Antonio Spurs will kick off the season without their super-sub, Manu Ginobili. Back pain will keep Ginobili on the sidelines, per the Express-News: “Still suffering from back issues, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili won’t make the trip to New Orleans for Wednesday’s regular season opener against the Hornets. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Ginobili, who missed Friday’s pre-season finale against the Washington Wizards because of back spasms, tried to participate in Monday’s practice session but was not able to finish the session. ‘He’s not going to travel to New Orleans and we’re going to assess him again on Thursday,’ Popovich said of the 35-year-old two-time All-Star. ‘He still feels his back. He tried to get on the court today and he couldn’t do it.'”