Tim Duncan Injured, Unknown when he will Return

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (21) leaves the court after he sprained his left ankle during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Monday, March 21, 2011, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Tim Duncan is out and he doesn’t know when he will return, the Associated Press reports.

The San Antonio Spurs great injured his ankle Monday night in a win over the Golden State Warriors. Duncan hit a jump shot and landed awkwardly, and is now on crutches.

The Spurs (57-13) currently have the best record in basketball and are 6.5 games ahead of the next best team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Gregg Popovich’s team is in the midst of a great season and their age hasn’t seem to affected them thus far.

Duncan of course is considered one of the most durable and consistent players of his generation, if not all-time. Of course, with such a big lead in the Western Conference his injury shouldn’t derail them unless his injury carries into the playoffs.

Duncan’s ankle is between a grade 1 and grade 2 sprain, their General Manager R.C. Buford said, according to the Associated Press.

“There’s a lot of frustration,” Buford said, according to the Associated Press. “But I think he’s pretty tough and you guys saw him on the court.”

Although Duncan is average a career low 13.3 points per game–7 points below his career average–he is still irreplaceable when it comes to his defense and the way he can pass the ball in the post.

An MRI conducted on Duncan’s sprained left ankle revealed no signs of structural damage.