Duncan Returns, Clippers Stumble

Tim Duncan returned to San Antonio’s lineup Wednesday night. Not that the Spurs needed him against the Clippers.

San Antonio opened the game with a 14-3 run, built a 21-point lead late in the first quarter and coasted to a 108-90 victory over the Clippers.

“The Spurs came out like a team that got their butts kicked the night before,” said Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy, referring to San Antonio’s 94-88 loss at Memphis on Tuesday. “After that first quarter, it was pretty much over.”

Duncan, activated Wednesday after sitting out six games, had little to do with the outcome. He scored nine points on four-for-10 shooting and had a season-low two rebounds in 15 minutes.

“It felt good to get up and down the court,” Duncan said. “It’s a process right now. It’s going to take a while, my minutes are going to increase.... As I feel better, I’ll let myself back in the lineup.”

Malik Rose led San Antonio with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 16 points, Manu Ginobili 14 and Tony Parker 13. Ginobili had eight assists and Parker had seven.

Parker said the team needed to keep doing what it has been doing while being patient with Duncan, who went on the injured list after hurting the joint where the thigh bone meets the knee.

The game turned lopsided in the first four minutes as the Spurs amassed a double-digit lead using the same fast-paced, ball-sharing offense they relied on while Duncan was sidelined.

Rasho Nesterovic opened the scoring by tipping in a missed layup by Duncan, and Turkoglu followed with a drive.

Parker and Turkoglu made back-to-back three-pointers before Nesterovic made a 13-foot jumper and Bruce Bowen converted a layup to make the score, 14-3.

Duncan’s contribution to that decisive burst was a single assist.

During Duncan’s absence, the Spurs went 4-2 -- both losses to the Grizzlies.

Elton Brand, who scored 16 points for the Clippers, credited Duncan with lifting his team even if his numbers were way below his averages of 23.2 points and 13 rebounds.

“Just his presence alone makes a difference,” Brand said of the NBA’s reigning most valuable player.

Corey Maggette had 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their second straight game without Quentin Richardson (sprained back).