Tim Duncan was still workout out hard with an assistant coach 20 minutes after the rest of the team finished practice, according to the San Antonio Express-News, and while Coach Gregg Popovich called him doubtful for tonight's game against Utah, he certainly didn't look it.

"He's still a little sore and swollen," Popovich said. "But he is getting better."

Even though Duncan returned to practice Thursday, Popovich would prefer to keep him out of harm's way for one more game. Under the current timetable, the Spurs expect to get their All-Star forward back Tuesday at Golden State, nine days after he sprained his ankle against Portland.

In the meantime, they will steel themselves to face the Jazz ? their foil in last season's Western Conference finals ? without him.

"Timmy is our franchise, our best player," point guard Tony Parker said. "It's nice to know we can step up without him."