NBA News/Injuries/etc. (1/12/12)

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>John Wall - G - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">John Wall has the second-worst shooting percentage among qualifying players at 33.8 percent.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wall's wayward shooting is even scarier because he has attempted just five 3-pointers all year. He's missed 85 of the 136 two-point shots he has taken. There's plenty of room to buy low here as the Wizards have hit rock bottom, but don't expect a huge jump in shooting. Wall shot an anemic 41.0 percent from the field last year.
Jan. 12 - 5:13 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Washington Post</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Curry - G - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">GM Larry Riley hinted that the Warriors will exercise extreme caution with Stephen Curry (ankle) this time.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The earliest Curry will return is Saturday against the Bobcats. "I do think that we're probably going to end up giving him more time than we have in the past to produce a recovery," Riley said. Beat writer Matt Steinmetz believes the Warriors could hold Curry out through the team's entire four-game road trip that starts Saturday. Nate Robinson will be a high-upside play whenever Curry sits.
Jan. 12 - 4:56 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSN Bay Area</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Trevor Ariza - G/F - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Trevor Ariza (groin) did some light running and shooting Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ariza has missed five straight games and sounds unlikely to return against the Wolves Friday. "He's certainly a guy we're looking forward to getting back," coach Monty Williams said, "but at the same time, maybe to my detriment, I've never been a guy to push a guy to get on the floor before he can." Al-Farouq Aminu has been starting at small forward.
Jan. 12 - 4:39 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Deron Williams - G - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Deron Williams (ankle) will play in Friday's game against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Williams rolled his ankle lightly against the Nuggets Wednesday night and then got ejected for arguing with the refs. Neither issue is a concern for Friday. Over the last three games, Williams is averaging 13.6 points and 12.3 assists.
Jan. 12 - 4:19 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Stefan Bondy on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Greg Oden - C - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Greg Oden (knee) has still not been cleared to participate in any 3-on-3 drills or scrimmage sessions.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Oden had a setback in December when an MRI revealed bad news. "It wasn't as encouraging as we'd hoped," said interim GM Chad Buchanan. Oden is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Jan. 12 - 3:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Portland Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jason Kidd - G - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Rick Carlisle did not have an update on Jason Kidd (back) Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kidd did not travel with the team this week, instead staying behind in Dallas to rehab. The Mavs are 3-0 without him this season. "I don't have anything official other than I believe he's doing a little better, and he's continuing with his treatment and therapy and whatever he can do," Carlisle said. Consider Kidd questionable for Friday's home game against the Bucks.
Jan. 12 - 3:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Dallas Morning News</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Love - F/C - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Love missed practice Thursday for personal reasons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Love will make the trip to New Orleans for Friday's game against the Hornets. Expect a full complement of minutes. Love leads the NBA at 14.7 rebounds per game on the season and is sixth in scoring at 23.6 points per night.
Jan. 12 - 3:25 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Michael Beasley - F - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Michael Beasley (mid-foot sprain) is not traveling with the Wolves on their upcoming two-game road trip.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Beasley has no timetable to return. A mid-foot sprain can range greatly in severity, but it is the injury that crippled Darren McFadden's season for the Raiders. Coach Rick Adelman has already admitted that Beasley may come off the bench once healthy.
Jan. 12 - 3:20 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Associated Press</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Al Horford - F/C - Hawks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Horford (torn pectoral) is expected to be out 3-4 months.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Horford tore his left pectoral muscle in Wednesday night's loss to the Pacers. It's not yet clear if he'll need surgery, but the Hawks are "hopeful" he can return for the playoffs. Horford's fifth season likely ends after just 11 games and with disappointing averages of 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Zaza Pachulia is expected to step in as the starting center and is suddenly staring at 28-32 minutes per game. Vladimir Radmanovic also gets a boost in case the Hawks go small.
Jan. 12 - 3:08 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Marc J. Spears on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Charlie Villanueva - F - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Charlie Villanueva (ankle) is a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Bucks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Villanueva has appeared in just two games all year, failing to top five minutes of burn in either one.
Jan. 12 - 2:47 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rodney Stuckey - G - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rodney Stuckey (groin) is a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Bucks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stuckey has missed four straight games, allowing rookie Brandon Knight to flash serious potential as the starting point guard. If Stuckey does end up getting the call tonight, we wouldn't expect the usual 32-36 minutes. We'll know Stuckey's official status about an hour before tonight's 8 p.m. ET tip.
Jan. 12 - 2:39 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Vincent Goodwill on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Derrick Rose - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Derrick Rose (toe) was held out Wednesday night as a cautionary move.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Whether Rose has turf toe or just a sprain, the Bulls don't sound worried at all. They knew they could beat the Wizards last night without the MVP and did just that, coasting to a 78-64 win. Rose is listed as day-to-day ahead of Friday's game against the Celtics.
Jan. 12 - 2:29 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tyrus Thomas (legs) is expected to play on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thomas missed Charlotte's last game with fatigued legs but is now ready to return. He's averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and a block over 29 minutes, and owners should expect his production to steadily increase as he gets more games under his belt. He's worth rostering in 12-team leagues for his ability to contribute across the stat sheet.
Jan. 12 - 2:06 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Rick Bonnell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Eric Gordon - G - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Eric Gordon (personal) is still absent from Hornets practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon wouldn't be able to play because of his knee, but the reason he's away from the team is due to a death in his family. The team announced on January 6 that he was going to rest his injured knee for the next 2-3 weeks, and that timetable remains unchanged at this time. Marco Belinelli will continue to start in Gordon's place.
Jan. 12 - 1:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Joe Gerrity on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rudy Gay - F - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rudy Gay (hip pointer) is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gay's hip was swollen and painful Wednesday, causing him to miss practice. He was sent for an MRI which revealed a mere hip pointer. Gay may be sore tonight, but he's fully expected to play. He's logged at least 37 minutes in four straight games.
Jan. 12 - 12:33 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant said that his wrist is "already getting better" and "by the playoffs, it should be fine."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bryant's wrist has been the subject of popular conversation with everybody except him. "I scored back-to-back 40's with a (bleeped)-up wrist," he said. He's got a point, and the real focal point is that Bryant's knee has held up very well after the procedure he had in Germany during the offseason which has provided the spring back in his step. Bryant is currently leading the league in scoring with 30.3 points per game.
Jan. 12 - 12:08 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Orange County Register</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andray Blatche - F/C - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andray Blatche (shoulder) is going to New York to seek consultation on his injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Blatche was ruled out of Wednesday's game against Chicago and is officially listed as day-to-day. If he's forced to miss significant time, Trevor Booker, who has started ahead of Blatche in the last two games, would become even more attractive as a waiver wire pickup. We'll have an update on Blatche after a firm diagnosis is given, and owners should bench him until that time.
Jan. 12 - 11:36 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Andray Blatche on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrea Bargnani (calf) will undergo an MRI on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bargnani left Wednesday's game early with a calf strain and did not return. We should have an update on his condition later on Thursday, but owners need to ensure that he's on the bench for the time being. Bargnani is averaging 22.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and one 3-pointer through 11 games.
Jan. 12 - 11:31 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Toronto Star</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Carmelo Anthony - F - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Carmelo Anthony says his legs still don't feel 100 percent.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Carmelo complained to a trainer on Monday about "heavy" legs, but it's not really affecting his play on the court. He hasn't missed a game this year, is averaging 35.8 minutes per night and is netting 26.6 points per game. Anthony is still only 27 years old.
Jan. 12 - 5:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN New York</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tyrus Thomas (legs) will start at small forward against the Hawks Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Jan. 12 - 6:32 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Rick Bonnell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>