San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker expects to return from his left quadriceps injury in the early part of 2018. The 35-year-old Parker is currently in a rehabilitation program following surgery to his quadriceps tendon.
Parker, the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon during the second game of the Western Conference semi-finals series against the Houston Rockets in the first week of May. After he underwent surgery, the Spurs organisation announced that Parker would be sidelined for up to eight months.
"It's OK. It's OK. It's getting better and better. I'm starting to run like a little bit. I'm walking pretty well. I think it's still going to be a long process. It's still going to take like another four or five months but I am very happy in with the progress. I am in advance in my rehab," Parker told Argentinean TV LPG TV, via NBC San Antonio.
Tony Parker wants to win another title for Manu Ginobili
With Tim Duncan retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season, the Spurs' celebrated Big 3 could lose another member as veteran guard Manu Ginobili enters his last season with the Silver and Black. Parker is hopeful that the team can win a championship before Ginobili walks off into the sunset.
"Hopefully we can finish with the championship for Manu's last year hopefully but we never know if it's going to be Manu's last year. Maybe he's going to come back again. As long as he keeps playing, everybody's going to be happy," said Parker, who entered the league in 2001.
During the 2016-17 NBA regular season, Parker averaged a career-low 25.2 minutes per game for 10.1 points and 4.5 assists per game. Those numbers rose to 15. 9 points and 3.1 assists during the 2017 NBA Playoffs but coach Gregg Popovich didn't allow Parker to play extended minutes owing to his injury history.
Tony Parker, viewed by many as a future Hall of Famer, will earn US$15.45 million (AU$20.74 million) during the forthcoming season, the final year of his contract with the Spurs. If healthy, it's likely that Parker returns to San Antonio on a discounted contract since the Spurs intend to make a splash during the loaded 2018 NBA Free Agency period.
