San Antonio Spurs Expect Manu Ginobili to Return on Saturday

Manu Ginobili’s rehab from hand surgery appears to be complete, as Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich expects to re-insert him into the lineup this weekend. From the Express-News: “At long last, the Spurs have a game targeted for injured guard Manu Ginobili to make his long-awaited return. Saturday in New Jersey appears to be the day. Speaking before [last night’s] game against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, coach Gregg Popovich called Ginobili ‘likely’ for the game against the Nets. In fact, Popovich said Ginobili — who will miss his 22nd game since fracturing his shooting hand Jan. 2 in Minnesota — tried to bargain his way onto the floor in Philadelphia. ‘I think it’s too early,’ Popovich said about the prospect of Ginobili playing against the Sixers. ‘We’d like to get him into a 5-on-5 situation before he plays. I think we’ll be able to do that this week. Probably New Jersey is the first time he’ll be allowed to play, I think,’ ...