ATLANTA — San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich held out forward Tim Duncan as guard Manu Ginobili returned for Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Ginobili, who has missed 19 games since last playing on Feb. 11, has been out with a right ankle injury.

Popovich provided no explanation for Duncan's absence, but the move was not a surprise. The Spurs are coming off a home win over Golden State on Tuesday night, and Duncan already sat out back-to-back games earlier this month to rest his knees.

Duncan missed three games in late February with what was called a right quad injury.

Newly acquired forward Drew Gooden replaced Duncan in the starting lineup.