NBA News/Injuries/etc. (1/23/12)

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rajon Rondo - G - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rajon Rondo is testing his sprained right wrist in warmups Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rondo says he hasn't dribbled a basketball since sustaining his injury last Wednesday. He remains a true game-time call, with official word coming in about an hour. After tonight, the Celtics do not play again until Thursday.
Jan. 23 - 4:55 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>John Salmons - G/F - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">John Salmons (stomach virus) will play in Monday's game against the Blazers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Salmons figures to slide right back into his starting small forward spot and will see some extra shots/minutes with Marcus Thornton (quad) out. However, the problem is Salmons' eroding skill set. He's averaging just 7.6 points in 28.7 minutes this season, and is shooting 35.5 percent from the field.
Jan. 23 - 4:07 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jason Jones on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Marcus Thornton - G - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Thornton (quad contusion) won't play in Monday's game against the Blazers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thornton can't seem to shake this quad bruise. He missed three games earlier this year with the same injury and won't even test it in warmups before tonight's game. Rookie Jimmer Fredette replaced Thornton at shooting guard in all three of those earlier games, but averaged just 7.0 points, 1.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 23.8 minutes.
Jan. 23 - 3:59 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jason Jones on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Arron Afflalo - G - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Arron Afflalo (groin) is officially listed as a game-time call for Wednesday's game in Sacramento.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Afflalo sounded optimistic about his status on Saturday and still has another full day to rest. It's not anything more than a day-to-day strain.
Jan. 23 - 3:52 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<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 (wrist, ankle) practiced Monday and will play against the Bobcats Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The media has made a bigger deal out of Anthony's various nicks than they really are. He's missed just one game all year and has logged a hefty 35.6 minutes per game. Although Anthony's shooting percentage is down to 40.4 percent, he's averaging 1.5 3-pointers, 1.4 steals, 4.2 assists and 6.8 rebounds.
Jan. 23 - 3:21 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Al Iannazzone on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Baron Davis - G - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Mike D'Antoni said that Baron Davis (back) will play limited minutes at first.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Davis practiced for the first time all season on Monday and is targeting Saturday at the latest for his return. But even he knows he has a long way to go. "Everything (is rusty)," Davis said. "Stamina, timing. I couldn't play dead in a movie if I was asked to." Look for the Knicks to ease Davis in off the bench for at least a week before he pushes Landry Fields and Toney Douglas for minutes. Remember that Davis, 32, was nearly forced into retirement a few months ago due to back woes.
Jan. 23 - 2:56 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Stephen Jackson said Sunday night that he is fine with his current bench role.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jackson has to be fine with it for now because the Bucks have won two straight games. The first game he was inactive due to suspension and the second game they won in Miami as he played 26 minutes off the bench. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm about winning. I'm not about nothing else," Jackson said. For now, we can't expect more than 25-29 minutes per game while Shaun Livingston starts.
Jan. 23 - 2:50 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Gerald Wallace - F - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Gerald Wallace (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Kings.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wallace went through shootaround without any problems. It looks like he'll end up missing just one game due to the sprained middle finger on his shooting hand. Nicolas Batum, who played 42 minutes with Wallace out on Saturday, will revert back to the bench as soon as Monday.
Jan. 23 - 2:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ray Allen - G - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ray Allen (ankle) is listed as a game-time call for Monday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen "jammed" his ankle against the Wizards on Sunday. Considering the back-to-back and his age, we wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics erred on the side of caution here. After Monday's game, the Celtics don't play again until Thursday. Mickael Pietrus came off the bench for 14 points in 34 minutes Sunday.
Jan. 23 - 2:18 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Dirk Nowitzki - F - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Dirk Nowitzki (knee) is still targeting Sunday for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nowitzki did some work at shootaround on Monday as he attempts to regain health in his knee and rhythm with his game. Lamar Odom will start the next three games at power forward. We wouldn't expect Dirk to be limited at all in terms of minutes once he gets back on the court.
Jan. 23 - 2:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Chris Paul - G - Clippers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Clippers will make a decision on Chris Paul's (hamstring) status following Tuesday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Clippers aren't practicing on Monday. But Paul did put in a workout on Saturday and reportedly emerged feeling "great." There is no swelling or tears in his hamstring. For now, we can only consider CP3 questionable for Wednesday's showdown with the Lakers.
Jan. 23 - 1:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Los Angeles Times</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Dwyane Wade - G - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Dwyane Wade (ankle) remains listed as day-to-day by the Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Heat had a rare day off on Monday, so we won't have an update on Wade's progress. What we do know is that he's missed seven of the last 10 games and hasn't played since Jan. 13. He did practice on Friday, hinting that a return could be close. Look for Wade to end up as a true game-time call for Tuesday's game against the Cavs.
Jan. 23 - 1:41 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Will Bynum (foot) and Charlie Villanueva (ankle) are both out for Tuesday's game against the Thunder.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bynum is missing a golden opportunity for minutes with Ben Gordon (shoulder) sidelined. Bynum hasn't played since Jan. 13 and Villanueva has appeared in two games all year.
Jan. 23 - 1:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ben Gordon (shoulder) is out for Monday's game against the Thunder.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon didn't even make the trip to Oklahoma City, leaving him very questionable for Wednesday's home game against the Heat. Rodney Stuckey will start at shooting guard once again despite some nagging groin pain. On Saturday, Stuckey went off for 28 points and five assists in 37 minutes while meshing beautifully with rookie point guard Brandon Knight.
Jan. 23 - 1:31 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Vince Carter - G/F - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">There is no timetable on a return for Vince Carter (foot).</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Carter is a notoriously slow healer that was hurting the Mavs more than helping anyway. Delonte West will continue to log heavy minutes at shooting guard for the foreseeable future.
Jan. 23 - 1:20 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kirk Hinrich - G - Hawks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kirk Hinrich (shoulder) is targeting Wednesday's game against the Spurs for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hinrich has been out all year thanks to December surgery. He'll need to be eased back in slowly, but should eventually land 24-27 minutes as the Hawks' third guard. Hinrich is also a candidate to be traded at the deadline thanks to his expiring $8 million contract and the Hawks' need for front-court help.
Jan. 23 - 1:14 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Michael Cunningham on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<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">The Wolves are not expecting Michael Beasley (foot) to play this week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">As expected, Beasley's mid-foot sprain is proving to be more difficult to overcome than most thought. He's likely out at least four more games and has no clear target date for a return. Wes Johnson, Derrick Williams and Wayne Ellington will continue to see a boost in minutes.
Jan. 23 - 1:00 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jerry Zgoda on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Taj Gibson - F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Taj Gibson (high-ankle sprain) will not play against the Nets Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gibson, who was averaging 1.4 blocks and 4.2 rebounds in just 19.3 minutes per game, is looking at an extended absence. Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Omer Asik will all see a boost in minutes.
Jan. 23 - 12:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Joakim Noah - F/C - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Joakim Noah (ankle) is expected to play in Monday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Noah's sprain is not serious. He's had two full days to recover and projects to see a boost in minutes Monday with Taj Gibson (high-ankle sprain) sidelined. Noah had 10 or more rebounds in four of his last five games.
Jan. 23 - 12:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jan 23, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luol Deng - F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luol Deng (wrist) will not play in Monday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Deng was at the doctor during the Bulls' shootaround after spraining his left (non-shooting) wrist on Saturday. There's no sign that this is a serious injury, but he may need at least few days to get the soreness out. Coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn't name a replacement at small forward, but Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer are candidates to share time.
Jan. 23 - 12:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>