Elliott's Return May Spark Spurs

March 14, 2000 / 11:26 PM EST / CBS/AP

Only one game back after a kidney transplant and Sean Elliott has the San Antonio Spurs plotting new possibilities.

"This could be the catalyst we need," David Robinson said. "We have been playing well, but if we get some quality minutes out of Sean, we are going to be that much better."

Starting the game but playing only 12 minutes Tuesday night, Elliott shot 1-for-3 and thrilled the Alamodome crowd with a dazzling dunk in the third quarter.

That basket ignited a 6-0 spurt for San Antonio, which pulled away from Atlanta in the final period to win 94-79. Elliott also had a defensive rebound and an assist.

Seven months earlier, Elliott received a kidney from his older brother, Noel. The 32-year-old forward had focal glomerulosclerosis, a disease that prevents the kidneys from properly filtering waste from the blood. It could have worsened to the point of forcing Elliott to undergo dialysis.

With his comeback, Elliott became the first pro athlete in a major sport to return to competition after a kidney transplant.

"It feels really good," Elliott said after a hard practice Wednesday. "I'm expecting my endurance and my stamina to get much better."

Coach Gregg Popovich opted to start Elliott on Tuesday to avoid a disruption with lengthy applause if he'd entered from the bench later in the game. Now, however, the coach is expected to start Elliott regularly.

"That's the plan," Elliott said. "(Popovich) wants to go forward with this and get a rotation and get some routine going into the playoffs."

In his comeback quest, Elliott said, he worked constantly on his jump shot and ball handling skills. His main goal in his first game was to play good defense.

"I'm not worried about my offense," he said. "That'll come."

Robinson said Elliott has a lot of spring in his legs and the team's defense improved when he was in the game.

The Spurs began the season with Chucky Brown filling Elliott's small forward position much of the time. They've also tried Mario Elie, Jaren Jackson and Jerome Kersey.

"It's no knock on anybody else. It's just Sean Elliott is irreplaceable," point guard Avey Johnson said.

Even Popovich who'd resisted Elliott's return at times, saying he concerned about his health got caught up in the excitement of Elliott's comeback.

"I didn't really think it was an emotional deal, but I really surprised myself. Seeing him out there was great," Popovich said.

The coach recalled Elliott's contribution to the Spurs' championship run last season and noted when Elliott played his seven minutes in the third quarter Tuesday, thoughts of another title run rushed in.

"I think in the second half it was pretty much getting your team back, having the championship team," he said.

Popovich cautioned that he plans to slowly increase Elliott's playing time.

"It's going to be interesting to see what we do next, to see what he can handle," Popovich said. "His health is the primary concern and will be for the rest of the year. We'll do nothing to push him for wins and losses."

San Antonio (41-23) trailed Utah by two games Wednesday in the race for the Midwest Division lead.

The Spurs entered the playoffs last year with the best record in the NBA and homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.

Elliott started in all 17 playoff games last year, averaging 11.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.8 minutes. He led the Spurs in 3-point shooting, hitting 40 per cent.

His famous "Memorial Day Miracle" shot an off-balance 3-pointer in the final seconds as he nearly fell out of bounds sealed a victory for the Spurs over Portland in a crucial game in the Western Conference Finals.

But his dunk in his comeback game, he said, may be more memorable. Not only for his own career but for the encouragement it might send to other transplant recipients and donors.

"It's not just about myself," Elliott said. "There's another part of me who wants to make a statement for a lot of people who are in my situation."