National Basketball Association

McDyess expects to play in Game 4 with sore neck

Published Apr. 24, 2011 7:54 p.m. ET

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San Antonio center Antonio McDyess expects to play in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night despite a neck nerve injury that forced him to leave Saturday night's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said he still is hindered a bit by an achy right elbow that caused him to miss Game 1 of the series that Memphis leads 2-1.

Grizzlies guard Tony Allen isn't so sure that Ginobili's elbow is hurting. Allen says Ginobili is playing so well, he wonders if the injury is real.

McDyess was injured with 2:56 left in the game Saturday night and was taken to the locker room before the end of Memphis' win. X-rays were negative, and the initial report was a strained neck. He showed up for practice Sunday smiling and moving much better after a night of rest and medication. He says the team's medical staff later described the injury as a compressed nerve.

''I feel a whole lot better,'' said McDyess as he prepared for practice.

Later when asked if he would be ready Monday night, McDyess replied: ''No question. Even today, I think I would be ready.''

Allen's comments about Ginobili came during the Grizzlies' media availability before the Spurs practiced. Ginobili injured the elbow in the last game of the regular season, and it forced him to miss the opening game of the postseason.

Ginobili said Sunday he continues to deal with soreness in the elbow, but never raised any question that he was ready to play a full complement of minutes for Game 4 on Monday night in Memphis.

Allen, who has guarded Ginobili, was the one raising questions about the San Antonio guard's injury.

''He ain't playing like his arm is hurt,'' Allen said Sunday morning. ''I think that's all just for the birds right there. I don't think nothing's wrong with him.''

Asked if he thought the bulky brace Ginobili has worn in Games 2 and 3 was for show, Allen said: ''Yeah. I think so. He's playing amazing right now.''

Ginobili seemed a bit surprised at Allen's statements. He laughingly acknowledged that he has been called a flopper, but not a faker.

''I really don't care,'' Ginobili said regarding Allen's comments. ''I would like to not play with that brace. The previous years we've had pretty good runs without an elbow brace. It is what it is. Not a big deal.''