Tony Parker graduates to full contact drills

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker smiles before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker smiles before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Tony Parker graduates to full contact drills 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Tony Parker has a good idea when he'll be able to get back on the floor again.

"When Dr. Popovich says so," Parker said with a chuckle.

That day is still more than a month away, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says, but it is coming more quickly than anyone envisioned when Parker went down with a ruptured quadriceps tendon in last season's playoffs.

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The 35-year-old point guard took a step forward in the rehabilitation process last week, engaging in full contact games of 2-on-2 and 3-on-3.

The next step is a return to full-court 5-on-5 scrimmaging, which Parker hopes to do this week.

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"His rehab is going really well," Popovich said. "He's going 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 pretty much full speed. I think he gets to go 5-on-5 in about a week and we'll see how he looks."

For Parker, the rehab has been grueling but worth it.

Popovich said the team is targeting a December return.

"I can't wait," Parker said.