A roller coaster ride continued for Australian guard Shane Heal after he sat out his much anticipated NBA return in San Antonio due to a back strain.

Despite being named in San Antonio's 12-man team for their NBA season opener against Phoenix at home, Heal was relegated to the role of spectator as the Spurs clinched a last gasp 83-82 win.

Heal had described his whirlwind return to the world's toughest basketball league after a six year hiatus as a "roller coaster ride" following hot and cold pre-season form for the Spurs.

Just days after his US arrival, Heal had a match winning game-high 16 points against New Orleans only to sink just one from 11 in the next pre-season match against Houston.

And the "ride" continued for Heal when his anticipated comeback fizzled due to the back strain which will also cost him a place in the Spurs' next game against the Nuggets at Denver.

Coincidentally, Heal's NBA career was cut short by injury the last time he played in the US league in 1997 when he succumbed to a calf complaint after playing 43 games for Minnesota.

Heal is expected to make up for lost time in the Spurs' third regular season game against New York on Sunday (AEDT).

And Heal will have to be on his game.

Injuries to Spurs guards Tony Parker and Alex Garcia have opened the door for Heal but he is still on a non-guaranteed contract meaning he can be cut at any time.

After missing a golden chance for major playing time, Heal's minutes will be cut significantly by the time he hits the court against New York as No.1 guard Parker also returns from an ankle injury.

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