Agamen » a serious injury. Once my knee buckled, I knew it was

SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring. But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game 7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill never do it again, I promise. Were done with that joke." Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers Jersey .com) - Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to split a home-and-home set. Tarvarius Moore Jersey . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Jimmie-Ward-49ers-Jersey/ . -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands. Jimmie Ward 49ers Jersey . Defenceman Tessa Bonhomme was among three players released from the team Tuesday morning along with defenceman Brigette Lacquette of Waterhen, Man. Mike McGlinchey Jersey . - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night.TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals rookie Tyrann Mathieu will have surgery Friday to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. Mathieu, speaking informally to a small group of reporters at team headquarters Thursday, said he knows it will be difficult to watch the team play for the remainder of the season. "I felt like I disappointed my team," he said. "I cant be out there with those guys. Were in the playoff chase, and you just want to be out there and help those guys. Knowing that you cant be out there to help them is the frustrating thing." It is the first serious injury of Mathieus career, and he says he will do his rehab work in Arizona. The young safety, whose college career at LSU was cut short by marijuana-related issues, has developed a strong support system in Arizona. Mathieu tore his ACL and LCS when he was hit while returning a free kick following a safety in the Cardinals 30-10 victory over St. Louis last Sunday. He jogged toward the sideline, then his knee buckled and he collapsed on the field. "I was a bit scared," Mathieu said. "I havent been injured. I twisted my ankle and sprained my ankle a few times, but I never had a serious injury. Once my knee buckled, I knew it was a serious injury.dddddddddddd" He said he has been listening to teammates who have gone through the same sort of injury. "They say the more work you put into it, the better the results," Mathieu said. The 5-foot-9 dynamo was having a terrific rookie season, playing on nearly every defensive snap. He is second on the team in tackles (63) and solo tackles (56). He also had two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and three quarterback hits. "I know I played pretty good," Mathieu said. "I think I set a pretty good standard for rookies coming in at defensive back for the Cardinals this year. I didnt feel like I played my best. I felt like my best was still ahead of me. Ive got some months to reflect on it and hopefully motivate me to go out there and set some records next year." Coach Bruce Arians has downplayed any chance Mathieu could be ready by training camp next year. "I head that," Mathieu said. "I dont know. Coach is just being generous. He doesnt want to rush me back, but hopefully everything goes well and goes fast. Hopefully, I can come back like A.P. (Adrian Peterson)." ' ' '