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The San Antonio Spurs placed guard Manu Ginobili on the injured list Monday, two days after he hurt his back in a streak-ending loss to Philadelphia.
Team officials said Ginobili, a second-year player from Argentina, has a lower back sprain and that he will miss at least five games.
San Antonio activated rookie guard Alex Garcia to take Ginobili's roster spot. Garcia, a Brazilian, had been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left foot in a preseason game. He was scheduled to be in uniform for Monday night's game against the Nuggets in Denver.
Ginobili left Saturday's home game against the 76ers late in the first quarter after scoring five points in the 83-77 loss that ended the Spurs' 13-game winning streak.
He is San Antonio's
third-leading scorer at 13.5 points per game, and is also averaging 5.1 rebounds
and 4.3 assists.
San Antonio Spurs chairman Peter Holt checked into an alcohol treatment center last week.
In a statement released by the team Monday, the 55-year-old Holt said he entered the residential facility at the request of his family. He will remain there for an unspecified period.
``I am embarrassed by this relapse, and I apologize to my family, my friends, my business colleagues and to the entire community,'' Holt said. ``But I am committed to regaining sobriety and maintaining it -- one day at a time.''
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Holt, a decorated Vietnam veteran and a heavy-equipment dealer, said he received
treatment for alcoholism in the 1980s and stayed sober for many years.
``I ask for your support and prayers, and your patience,'' he said. ``This relapse just drives home the point to me that I have to battle this disease every waking minute.''
Holt has led the Spurs' ownership group since 1996. During that time the team has won two NBA championships, including last season.