The San Antonio Spurs’ coaching staff will lack an important piece as the NBA resumes its 2019/20 season. According to WOAI-TV’s reporter Don Harris, assistant Tim Duncan didn’t travel with the team to Orlando, opting to remain in San Antonio.
Duncan and several other members of the staff decided to skip the trip in order to oversee the rehabilitation process of All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
Aldridge had shoulder surgery in April and will miss the remainder of the season. He is expected to be cleared for basketball activities in time for 2020/21.
Tim Duncan joined Spurs’ coaching staff as an assistant coach in July 2019. He served as a head coach for one game this past season, filling in for Gregg Popovich in 104–103 comeback win against Charlotte Hornets. Duncan previously spent his entire Hall of Fame career in San Antonio, winning five championships with the team.
San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a tough situation ahead of NBA restart, being in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 23 seasons. Spurs are currently No.12 seed in the West, sitting four games behind Memphis Grizzlies, who hold the last postseason spot.
