San Antonio Spurs assign Tony Parker to minor-league affiliate

Veteran point guard Tony Parker is getting closer to a return and will begin a rehab assignment with the Austin Spurs, the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs.

Parker, 35, is recovering from a torn quadriceps tendon suffered during the Western Conference semifinals last spring. He was cleared by doctors to participate in training camp last month and is being brought along slowly by the organization.

Parker averaged 10.1 points in 63 regular season games last season -- his lowest total since his 2001-02 rookie campaign. The veteran Frenchman owns career averages of 16.2 points on 49.3 percent shooting and 5.8 assists in 1,143 career regular season games.

He has played 221 playoff games in his career, posting averages of 18.2 points and 5.1 assists.

Second-year pro Dejounte Murray, 21, earned the right to start in Parker's vacated spot during training camp and is averaging 13.3 points to go along with team bests of 9.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists.