In just two minutes and 49 seconds, Ginobili made two twisting layups, set up teammates for 3-point baskets, turned the deficit into a Spurs lead and convinced himself, once and for all time, that the September surgery that repaired a left ankle impingement had been a complete success.

"I'm doing good," said the NBA's reigning Sixth Man Award winner. "I'm happy and excited. I felt good, and we won."

Ginobili played nearly 18 minutes in the Spurs' 98-88 victory, scoring 15 points, with four assists and three rebounds. He missed his only 3-point attempt, but was decidedly more aggressive going to the basket than he was in Monday's season debut in Memphis, when he played 11 minutes and 16 seconds.

His explosiveness is nearly all the way back, he said. The rhythms of the game will take a while longer to return.

"I've got to work a little on my brakes," he said. "Those are not working very well right now. The two or three penetrations I got on pick-and-rolls felt pretty good. I went zig-zag and finished well at the rim. I was a little hesitant here and there, but it's just the fourth time I went five-on-five, two in practice, two in games.

"So far, so good. I really didn't think I was going to be doing so good so early, so I'm happy in that regard."

Shot rediscovered: After missing eight 3-point attempts since his last long-distance make, against the Bucks on Nov. 12, Spurs forward Ime Udoka made two in a row in the Spurs' third-period rally.

His teammates were thrilled to see Udoka break out of his slump, and so was Udoka.

"(I'm) not as happy as he is," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "These guys have great character, they beat themselves up. I'm sure he feels good. He's put in a lot of work, a lot of work."

Ginobili set up Udoka for his second 3-pointer, happy to give him the chance to get a 3-point streak going.

"You can go through a drought like that," Ginobili said, "but we will trust him. We know he's a reliable shooter, especially from the corner. It was a matter of time."

Late start: Backup big man Kurt Thomas missed most of the preseason with a hamstring strain, so the first month of the regular season has been more struggle than success. Against the Bulls, though, Thomas had eight points and nine rebounds in 16 minutes and 16 seconds.

"Kurt's starting to get back in shape, starting to get his rhythm," Popovich said. "He missed camp, basically, so it's taken him some time.