SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs guard Manu Ginobili could miss the start of the playoffs because of a strained hamstring that is expected to sideline him three to four weeks.

The timetable released by the Spurs on Monday comes a day after Ginobili did not play in an 88-86 loss to the Miami Heat. The 35-year-old Ginobili injured his right hamstring in a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last week.

The regular season ends April 17. San Antonio is 1½ games ahead of Oklahoma City for the top seed in the Western Conference and may now have to protect that lead without its third-leading scorer. Ginobili is averaging 11.9 points and 4.6 assists.

The Spurs recently went 6-2 without All-Star Tony Parker before the point guard returned from an ankle sprain.