Suns Robin Lopez to sit out Game 1, may return later in series

UPDATE 3:38 pm: Lopez will not play in game one, saying there is too much weakness in his leg, according to Paul Coro. He did practice and has said he hopes to return later in the series.

No Lopez is a plus for the Spurs, who will try to slow the game down and pound the ball into the paint.

8:32 am: Against a team with Tim Duncan and the suddenly and the rejuvenated Antonio McDyess, the Phoenix Suns are going to need some size to complete.

Enter Robin Lopez.

The injured center went through a second full court practice on Sunday and should be activated for Monday night’s game one, as the Arizona Republic reports.

“He was fine,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry said. “He’s just making progress. Baby steps. He’s better this week than he was last week so I think that’s a positive.”

Asked if he played any full-court action today, Gentry said, “He did some. As I said, he made some progress. I wouldn’t count on him playing 30 minutes tomorrow, no.”

It all depends on how he feels Monday morning (doctors will take a look at him then). If he is a go any time on the court would help in a game where the Spurs game plan will be to pound the soft underbelly of the Suns inside.