Could Splitter be ready for the season opener?

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San Antonio Spurs rookie Tiago Splitter has yet to make his NBA debut due to a calf injury and recently Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has stated he doesn’t plan to have Splitter for the season opener against the Indiana Pacers.

However, according to 45graus.com, Splitter could be in action come Wednesday night:

The Brazilian has conducted intense training to get [into] physical shape and should debut [for] the Spurs in the first game of the regular [season] against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili weighed in and had this to say about Splitter:

“It’s a difficult moment, because the preseason is for someone new to fit on your [team] and know their teammates. But it goes back to playing when you are better. What he needs is to be patient and relax, because things will come to him. [He’s] a great kid, a hard worker and knows how to play,” Ginobili said.

As much as it would be fantastic to see Splitter suit up Wednesday, it be much better to not rush him back onto the court and risk further injury to his calf. The NBA season is a marathon and not a sprint and it be much better to have him healthy and producing for the team rather than sitting on the bench because of injury come towards the end of the season and especially for the playoffs.