HoopsHype.com Rumors

David Aldridge: Tiago Splitter (ankle) out for Spurs tonight. Boris Diaw will start in his place in first appearance since back surgery to remove cyst. Twitter @daldridgetnt

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Spurs call Boris Diaw probable for Game 1. Tiago Splitter considered a game-time decision. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

A full participant in both of the Spurs’ lengthy practice sessions this week, Boris Diaw on Wednesday almost guaranteed he will be in uniform for Monday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the winner of the Denver-Golden State first-round series. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

“It’s been a process, getting back, staying in shape and being able to get the core back so I wouldn’t feel any pain,” Diaw said. “It’s been good so far. I think I’ll be ready. I’m playing five-on-five already, and we don’t play until Monday, so I should be good.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Out of action since April 12 surgery to remove an olive-sized cyst from the base of his spine, Diaw says he’s “getting close” to returning to the Spurs’ active roster. He could suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against either Golden State or Denver, a series that would not begin until Monday at the earliest. “I’m feeling good,” said Diaw, who on Tuesday came out of a second full-contact practice with no trouble. “It shouldn’t be much longer.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Pop said Boris Diaw went through entire practice today. Sounds like he'll be available for start of Round 2. Splitter still uncertain. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Tiago Splitter, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Diaw will have a contact practice this morning, but will not play Game 4. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Buck Harvey: Diaw walked out in a suit. He said it's possible he plays Sunday - needs to prove he can with contact Saturday #spurs Twitter @Buck_SA

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Rick Bonnell: Kemba Walker 3rd Bobcat to play every game in 2 consecutive seasons. Others: Emeka Okafor and Boris Diaw. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Emeka Okafor, Boris Diaw, Kemba Walker 

Spurs doctors sent Boris Diaw for an MRI on what they thought was a lower back strain last week and were surprised to find the real culprit for the French forward’s pain — a small cyst pressing against the base of his spine. Diaw had surgery to remove the synovial cyst, just a few centimeters in diameter, and is expected to miss three to four weeks, including the start of the playoffs. “Very strange,” said point guard Tony Parker, Diaw’s best friend on the team. “It looked like he was fine. Then they said surgery. I’m like, ‘Surgery, what?’ Everybody was shocked.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Coming in tandem with Jackson’s dismissal, Diaw’s surgery leaves Popovich’s bench a mite shallow heading into the postseason. “We probably look a little thin,” Popovich said. “But life goes on. Nobody knew it was going to be (so long) for Boris. The two events are basically mutually exclusive in the sense of what had to be done.” San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

Reserve forward Boris Diaw had surgery on Thursday to remove a synovial cyst from his lumbar spine, the Spurs announced Friday. He is expected to miss three to four weeks, a time frame that will likely force him to miss the first round of the playoffs. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Injuries, Boris Diaw 

One of the more pressing questions of the 2012-13 season is whether or not Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had been made aware of the hip- hop track produced in his honor by an Israeli rap group, appropriately and simply named “Popovich.“ (See below.) Stephen Jackson gave us the answer after Wednesday’s victory over the Raptors: Not only has Popovich seen it, he used it to prank the Spurs before their last preseason game. We’ll let Captain Jack explain: “He was showing some film of me messing up, getting on me real hard. I was like, ‘You know what Pop, I don’t even want to play basketball. I’d rather do this. Kick it!’ And they played two of my videos. And Pop was like, ‘You know what? Don’t worry about it Jack. I got my own video.’ It was pretty cool.” Boris Diaw deemed the stunt “hilarious” while noted music aficionado Matt Bonner also gave his seal of approval. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Matt Bonner, Gregg Popovich, Stephen Jackson, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Ex D'Antoni player Boris Diaw thinks his former coach will work out just fine in LA. Twitter @JMcDonald_SAEN

Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Boris Diaw 

You're bad ass NBA player Tony Parker ... but you're French National Team just BLEW the Olympics and walked away in 6th place ... what do you do? Party your face off with $20,000 worth of booze ... that's what. It all went down at Chinawhite Nightclub in London ... San Antonio Spurs studs Tony Parker and Boris Diaw rolled in with their French team Thursday night ... a mere 24 hours after losing to Spain and sealing their elimination from medal contention. TMZ.com

Tony Parker, France, Boris Diaw, Olympics 

Parker, Diaw and the rest of Team Frenchy popped multiple bottles of Cristal and a magnum-sized Veuve Clicquot ... along with other effective libations. And they didn't party alone ... sources tell us several members of Germany's women's volleyball team were kickin' with the baskeballers. When it came time to pay the bill, we're told the honor went to Boris Diaw ... who even left a $2,000 tip. TMZ.com

France, Boris Diaw, Olympics 

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they re-signed forward Boris Diaw. Per club policy details of the contract were not released. “Boris was a key addition to our team late last season and we are happy to have him back,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. “The depth of his game and his basketball IQ make him a special player.” NBA.com

San Antonio Spurs, Boris Diaw 

Jeff McDonald: Agent Doug Neustadt confirms Spurs have reached agreement for new two-year deal w/ Boris Diaw. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Boris Diaw 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Boris Diaw has reached agreement on a two-year, $9 million-plus contract to stay with San Antonio, league source tells Y! Sports. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Boris Diaw 

The Spurs must wait until after free agency begins July 1 to know if they have a reasonable chance of striking a deal that can lock up versatile free-agent-to-be Boris Diaw for another few seasons. San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Boris Diaw