Tony Parker hasn’t appeared in a San Antonio Spurs game in nearly seven months, but that looks as if it will change. The 35-year-old tore his quadriceps in the second round of last season’s Western Conference playoffs against the Houston Rockets but went on social media to announce he will return for his first game since the injury on Monday (Nov. 27) against the Dallas Mavericks.

Parker’s performance last season and in his career

2016-17 was the 16th season for Parker in the NBA. He played in 63 games (all starts) and in 25.2 Minutes Per Game, he posted averages of 10.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

He shot 46.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point territory, and 72.6 percent from the foul line. His scoring and assist averages were his lowest since his rookie season.

Spurs fans saw some vintage Parker during the playoffs last season, prior to his injury. In the last three games against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, he averaged 21.7 points on 57.8 percent shooting.

The four-time NBA champion has played in 1,143 regular season games and 221 playoff games, all as a member of the Spurs. That currently places him fifth in NBA history in playoff games and 52nd in regular season games. He also is 60th all-time in career points (18,522) and 22nd in assists (6,634).

He was named the Finals MVP in 2007 when San Antonio swept the Cleveland Cavaliers.

How the Spurs have fared without him

Not only have the Spurs been without Parker, but they have also been missing star player Kawhi Leonard all season. Leonard is also out with a quad injury that has left the Spurs puzzled as there is no timetable for his return.

San Antonio still is off to a 12-7 start which is the third-best record in the Western Conference.

They started Dejounte Murray in their first seven outings at point guard, but Patty Mills has gotten the call in the last 12 games. In Mills’ 12 starts, San Antonio has gone 8-4. He has averaged 10.1 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals in games that he has started while playing 28.5 minutes per game.

While the Spurs likely will ease Parker slowly back into the lineup, whether he regains his spot in the starting lineup remains to be seen. The six-time All-Star isn’t seen as one of the best point guards in the league anymore as his career has advanced, but it’s not like Mills has lit the world on fire in a starting role. During his lengthy career, Parker has only come off the bench 13 times.
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