Duncan to miss Warriors-Spurs clash of titans

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 04: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Verizon Center on November 4, 2015 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP

The Golden State Warriors host San Antonio on Monday and even the absence of Spurs superstar Tim Duncan can’t dim anticipation for the clash of NBA titans.

The Spurs announced on Sunday that veteran forward Duncan would miss the contest with soreness in his right knee.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is notoriously careful with his aging players, wanting to ensure the team will be at full strength when the playoffs roll around.

He was fined by the league in November of 2012 for resting four players for a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat.

Duncan, 39, sat out Thursday’s win over the Phoenix Suns to rest, but played Friday against the Lakers.

His absence from the marquee matchup in Oakland, California, will likely mean more court time for David West, Boris Diaw and Boban Marjanovic.

After winning their 13th straight game in Los Angeles on Friday, the Spurs insisted the contest against Golden State was “just another game on the schedule,” in the words of Kawhi Leonard.

But the Warriors are 40-4 after starting the season a record 24-0 — their blistering run overshadowing the Spurs’ march to 38-6 that represents the club’s best through 44 games.

Neither team has lost on its home floor.

Even the pragmatic Popovich knows that it will be hard for his players to maintain a business-as-usual attitude come tip-off.

“There’s no doubt the players will look at it as more than that,” Popovich said. “They can’t help it.”