GameThread for San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns, Oct 31, 2014 9:00 PM CDT

Suns owner Robert Sarver apologized to the Suns fans after Popovich, Duncan, Ginobili and Leonard stayed home instead of traveling to Phoenix during the preseason. Sarver told the crowd,

This is not the game you paid your hard-earned money to watch, I apologize for it. And I want you to send me your tickets if you came tonight with a return envelope and I've got a gift for you on behalf of the Suns for showing up tonight. Thank you.

Then came Popovich's response,

As I said, the silliness begins. Most wise individuals would check facts before they made statements. Unless you're interested in putting on a show. In that case, the facts get in your way, as in this case.

We had five guys we didn't send. Patty Mills had a shoulder operation over the summer. Tiago Splitter (calf) has been out the whole preseason. Kawhi Leonard (eye infection) was out and is still out for 10 more days. The other two, Duncan and Ginobili, are two of the oldest guys in the league who just came back from a 13-day European trip.

The only thing that surprises me is that he didn't say it in a chicken suit. I'll just leave it at that.

Pop's pretty great.

Sarver and the Suns fans will be treated to Duncan, Ginobili and Leonard tonight, though Splitter and Mills are still out.

Be cool to each other in the Game Thread and please don't call the game.