Stephen Jackson revealed Thursday that he missed three games because his wife had a miscarriage of what would have been the couple’s first child.
Jackson played 19 minutes for the Spurs on Feb. 10 against the Nets, but he missed the team’s next three games because of personal reasons. He rejoined the team on Thursday and played 19 minutes in a 116-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Before the game, Jackson told the San Antonio Express-News’ Mike Monroe that he missed the games because his wife, Renata, lost the child she had been carrying for 6.5 months. Jackson told Monroe that he is frustrated and “nowhere close to being over it,” but that being back with the team has helped him.
“I’m happy to be back with the team. I need to be back with the team, just for my own sanity,” Jackson told Monroe. “Basketball and being around these guys helps me a lot, so it’s definitely something I needed.”
Jackson says the Spurs organization is like a family, and that the support he’s had during the tough time has been immense. He says coach Gregg Popovich told him to take as much time as he needed. He told the Express-News that he received daily phone calls from Tim Duncan, and that he also heard from the team’s owner and general manager.
Jackson had five points, three rebounds, and three steals in his first game back with the Spurs.
