National Basketball Association

Spurs' Duncan leaves game with sprained left ankle

Published Mar. 22, 2011 2:38 a.m. ET

foxsports

Spurs forward Tim Duncan sprained his left ankle Monday night against Golden State after coming down awkwardly on the foot.

X-rays were negative. Duncan did not return.

The 34-year-old All-Star fell and immediately reached for his left foot after hitting a short jumper early in the first quarter. He lay on his side, clutching his foot with both hands, for more than a minute before being helped into the locker room.

Duncan has stayed healthy all season for the NBA-best Spurs, avoiding injuries unlike recent years.

Duncan has started all but one game. That was Saturday against Charlotte - when Spurs coach Gregg Popovich didn't want to risk Duncan getting hurt on the second night of a back-to-back.