Sources: Rudy Gay expected to return after All-Star break

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Add Rudy Gay to the Spurs' caution list.

League sources tell the Express-News Gay is expected to return to the lineup after the All-Star break as he continues to recover from right heel bursitis he suffered last month.

According to sources, Gay, who has missed the last 15 games due to the injury, was aiming to return next week, possibly against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. After consulting with doctors, a mutual decision was made to allow Gay more time to heal.

Gay begin feeling soreness in his right heel in November, sitting out one game against the Dallas Mavericks, and then again last month against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gay returned to play 13 games, including 17 minutes in the win over the New York Knicks on Dec. 28 before leaving in the third quarter due to additional soreness. An MRI later revealed right retrocalcaneal bursitis.

In 34 games this season, Gay is averaging 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds. He tied his season high, 22 points, in a November win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs are 24-10 with Gay in the lineup.

Spurs forward Rudy Gay is pressured by Detroit forward Tobias Harris during a Dec. 4, 2017 game in San Antonio. Spurs forward Rudy Gay is pressured by Detroit forward Tobias Harris during a Dec. 4, 2017 game in San Antonio. Photo: Eric Gay /AP Photo Photo: Eric Gay /AP Photo Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Sources: Rudy Gay expected to return after All-Star break 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Earlier this month Spurs GM R.C. Buford acknowledged how well Gay has fit, adding the team misses Gay's scoring. The Spurs scored a season-low 78 points in Friday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"We need what he can bring from a scoring standpoint offensively," Buford told the Express-News earlier this month before the Spurs played the Knicks. "There are areas that, when he plays well, we can really take advantage of."

Though unlikely, league sources added there is a chance Gay could return earlier than expected as he is healthy enough to play, but the Spurs appear set on sticking with the timetable of Gay's return post All-Star, wanting him at 100 percent with no further setbacks.

The Spurs will host Gay's former team, the Sacramento Kings on Sunday at AT&T Center, part of a five-game homestand before departing on their annual Rodeo Road Trip which starts on Feb. 7 against the Phoenix Suns.