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NBA Playoffs 2014: Tony Parker to miss second half of Game 6

By Trisity Miller

May 25, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (left) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) watch the from bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (left) and forward Kawhi Leonard (2) watch the from bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the San Antonio Spurs are going to win Game 6 of the Western Conference finals to advance to the NBA Finals, they’ll have to do it without star point guard Tony Parker.

Parker’s ankle injury occurred in the first half of Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks. From there the point guard’s play has been on and off throughout the playoffs

In the first half of Game 6, Tony Parker had a minimal impact, scoring 8 points on 3-of-6 shooting in 18 minutes of play, but Parker posted a plus-minus of -11 in that same time span. The Oklahoma City Thunder would go into overtime with a 49-42 lead over the Spurs.

No Parker means the supporting cast has to step it up after a lackluster first half. Combined, Matt Bonner, Danny Green, Manu Ginobil, Patty Mills and Boris Diaw shot 4-of-19 from the field, far off from their performance in Game 5 of the series. As a whole, the Spurs shot 4-of-18 from behind the three-point line with 12 of those misses coming from the aforementioned players. That type of shooting isn’t ideal as the Spurs are looking to make their second NBA finals in row.

With Parker sidelined for the remainder of the game, Gregg Popovich opted to start Corey Joseph to keep Patty Mills in line with the reserve unit. During the 2013-14 season, Corey Joseph averaged a career-high 5 points on 47 percent shooting along with 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.