How bad is Tim Duncan's injury?

Tim Duncan's official injury report

You can now resume breathing: Tim's gonna be okay.

The biggest question after last night's win is: just how badly is Tim Duncan hurt?

Tim Duncan doubled over 1:10 into the 3rd quarter of last night's win over Memphis after he took an elbow to his right-upper chest from a driving Tony Allen. He went to the locker room and did not return, and a chest contusion was reported. After the game Pop had this to say about the injury:

"(Tim) will get checked out tomorrow, but he had spasms in his shoulder, his neck, and it looks like his chest is bruised. He caught an elbow; so it kind of affected everything from his chest up through his neck, somehow or other."

This could be nothing more than a minor chest contusion, and maybe the Spurs are just being extra cautious with their veteran big-man, but there is a rumor going around that Tim sustained a broken rib. If the spasms clear up and the MRI is negative, Tim could be back sometime during their West Coast trip that starts in LA tomorrow. If a rib is broken we can expect the Spurs to ease Duncan back to the lineup. Rib fractures usually take 4-6 weeks to heal.

We'll update you as soon as there is anything official.

More from Pounding The Rock:

• Tim Duncan's injury is only a bruise (contusion)
• Spurs snap two-game losing streak, beat Grizzlies in season opener
• Morning Rehash - Opening night win: 101-94
• Spurs beat Grizzlies 101 - 94 in season opener
• Tony Parker and fiancee Axelle expecting first child