SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Men) - There was a huge sigh of relief late on Monday when it was revealed that Tony Parker will not require surgery on the broken finger in his right hand.

"It's good news. The additional tests I had in San Antonio are reassuring," Parker told French news agency AFP.

"It's with a big smile that I welcomed the doctor's diagnostic. I will not need to have surgery and I won't have any lingering effects.

"I'm out of action for six weeks but don't have to wear a cast. Instead I just have a simple protection."

The French star guard is expected to miss the remainder of the NBA's regular season but is hopeful of being back in time for the start of the playoffs.

He suffered a fractured fourth metacarpal in his right hand in the San Antonio Spurs' win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

FIBA