San Antonio’s Aldridge out indefinitely with heart issue

SAN ANTONIO — Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge will be out indefinitely due to a minor heart arrhythmia, the latest occurrence of heart issues for the five-time All-Star.

Coach Gregg Popovich said Aldridge informed the team “he felt a little odd” during San Antonio’s 112102 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday, leading to the diagnosis.

The Spurs are dealing with injuries to starters Kawhi Leonard (concussion) and Tony Parker (back), but Aldridge’s ailment shocked the team and Popovich.

“Somebody says a heart, you start thinking a little more possible long-term kind of stuff, that’s a little scary,” Popovich said. “But you don’t go there yet. They’re doing tests. They did some tests today, and they’re going to continue it on Monday. He’s going to see some people on Monday, and based on what they do and see, we’ll figure then what we’re really looking at. We really don’t know right now.”

Aldridge has had heart issues in the past and was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome — an abnormality that can cause a rapid heartbeat — as a rookie in 2007.

Aldridge missed the final seven games of his rookie season after doctors used an ablation — a procedure designed to treat tissue in the heart to make the heartbeat regular again — to treat him and get him back on the court. He also needed an ablation during training camp in 2011, but was able to return to the court in time to play in the preseason and made the All-Star team for Portland that season.

The Spurs were well aware of Aldridge’s heart issue when they signed him to a max contract as a free agent in 2015. It always has been considered a minor situation and he has been able to return to playing relatively quickly after each episode.

The 6-foot-11-inch Aldridge is averaging 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds.