SAN ANTONIO - Spurs guard Tony Parker sprained his left ankle during practice with the French national team this week and is returning to the U.S. to be examined.

The Spurs said Parker will begin rehabilitation after an exam Friday and will rejoin the French national team when he gets medical clearance.

Parker, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after the Spurs swept the Cavaliers, pulled out of the Basketball Without Borders event in Europe next week.

SECURITY AWARENESS UP: The armed home invasions of NBA players Eddy Curry and Antoine Walker in the Chicago area last month have spurred security reminders from the league and city's sports teams.

Curry, a former Bulls player who now plays for the Knicks, was duct-taped and held at gunpoint with his family members and an employee by three masked bandits just after midnight Saturday at his home in the suburb of Burr Ridge, Ill., according to local police. No one was injured and the thieves fled with cash and jewelry.

The crime bares similarities with one involving Walker, a Heat forward who was robbed at gunpoint by masked men July 9 at his home in the River North neighborhood.

EEOC SIDES WITH TARPLEY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is siding with former Mavericks player Roy Tarpley in his legal fight for reinstatement by the NBA, which banned him in 1995 for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The EEOC ruled the NBA violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to reinstate Tarpley, 42, who has passed all drug tests taken during the past four years, EEOC District Director Spencer Lewis wrote in a letter of determination dated May 17.