The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Golden State Warriors in the most anticipated game of the NBA season. Unfortunately for NBA fans, power forward Tim Duncan will not be playing.

The Spurs and Warriors each have the two best records in the NBA this season, and this is the match that everyone has been waiting to see. The Spurs and Warriors are a combined 44-0 at home this season, an incredible fact to consider.

Head coach Gregg Popovich is keeping Duncan out due to soreness in his right knee. The injury is not believed to be serious at all. Duncan has played in 37 games this season for the silver and black, and although he may be 39 years old, Duncan still plays a critical role for the Spurs championship hopes. This game will be played in Golden State. The Spurs are still an impressive 14-6 on the road, but LaMarcus Aldridge will have an increased workload on Monday night.

Some NBA fans believe Popovich is simply playing mind games by keeping Duncan out of this game. Duncan and the Spurs could very well end up playing the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals this year.

Without Duncan on the floor, the Spurs will have to rely more on their perimeter shooting, especially against this Warriors unit. Danny Green needs to get out of this shooting slump, Manu Ginobili has to give the Spurs a shooting threat from beyond the arc, and Tony Parker has a huge responsibility against Stephen Curry.

The Spurs currently have a five game win advantage over the Oklahoma City Thunder for second place in the West, so a loss here would not derail them one bit. Duncan is widely regarded as the best power forward in NBA history, and he still has a player option in his contract for next season if he wishes to return.

The Warriors and Spurs will play each other again on March 19, in San Antonio.

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