NBA News/Injuries/etc. (1/29/12)

[HacheMan]

<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">CSN New England reported on Sunday that Rajon Rondo (wrist) is contemplating a return around the All Star break, which would put him out of action until mid-to-late February.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"I am going to play -- one day. Maybe like next -- hopefully before All-Star Break," said Rondo. That’s my goal, to come back before All-Star. I’m going to try to get February, like my birthday, like before Oklahoma." This contradicts recent reports that he is targeting Sunday's game for a return, so we're hoping to get clarification on the matter soon. Rondo is not forthcoming when it comes to injuries, and with this injury he said he wouldn't miss any time. Paul Pierce would get a huge boost from this news, while Keyon Dooling, Avery Bradley, and E'twaun Moore would vie for PG duties. Stay tuned.
Jan. 29 - 3:30 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSN New England</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Mehmet Okur - F/C - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mehmet Okur's back injury will likely keep him out of Sunday's game against the Raptors.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Avery Johnson said the team is concerned about his back and it would be surprising to see him play today. Results of his MRI are not in yet, and he could end up missing several games if he doesn't show improvement quickly. Shelden Williams, who had four points, seven boards and three blocks in Friday's start, would likely get the call in his place.
Jan. 29 - 2:35 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Newark Star-Ledger</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 is still planning to return on Sunday, although a final decision hasn't been made.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nowitzki sounds like he's planning to give it a go against the Spurs today, but the final decision rests with coach Rick Carlisle. The best plan is to have Dirk in your lineup in hopes that he plays, but we hope to have a final answer prior to game time.
Jan. 29 - 2:06 a.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>Jason Kidd - G - Mavericks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jason Kidd, who left Friday's game with a right calf strain, is being listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Coach Rick Carlisle said on Saturday the extent of Kidd's injury was unknown, so it's possible he could miss a few games with the injury. If he's out, look for Delonte West and Roddy Beaubois to get a boost.
Jan. 29 - 2:01 a.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>Baron Davis - G - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Baron Davis isn't expected to make his Knicks debut "for another week or two," according to the NY Times.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Davis is physically healthy but his conditioning isn't good enough for game action, as he's been out of commission for nine months. This stings for all those owners who have him stashed away, and puts even more pressure on the reeling Knicks, who are 7-13 as we near the 1/3 mark of the shortened season.
Jan. 29 - 9:23 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: NY Times</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">The Knicks hope that Carmelo Anthony (wrist, ankle) will play in Tuesday's home game, but there haven't been any official updates.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Mike D'Antoni said the Knicks are "playing awful" and he's been using unorthodox lineups in an attempt to find "just a little spark of anything." Carmelo's return will certainly help, but he needs to be healthy to be effective.
Jan. 29 - 9:27 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Joe Johnson - G/F - Hawks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Joe Johnson jammed two fingers at the end of Friday's win over the Pistons, but it doesn't sound as though it will jeopardize his status for Sunday's game.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Johnson made a game-tying 3-pointer right after the injury and he didn't leave the floor during overtime, so there's no reason for concern.
Jan. 29 - 9:32 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Zach Randolph - F/C - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins reportedly doesn't expect Zach Randolph to return this season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's unclear exactly when Hollins voiced this opinion, and the team was "encouraged" by Z-Bo's most recent MRI. Nevertheless, there are serious challenges for a PF returning from a torn MCL and we're tempering expectations -- he'll need to get healthy, get in shape, and adjust to the Grizzlies with Rudy Gay.
Jan. 29 - 9:54 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Yahoo! Sports</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Mehmet Okur - F/C - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mehmet Okur (back) will not play vs. the Raptors on Sunday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">We still haven't heard the results of a recent MRI on Okur's back, but presumably he's just dealing with back spasms and remains day-to-day.
Jan. 29 - 10:19 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Corey Maggette did some on-court work both Saturday and Sunday, and he is "making progress" in his return from a hamstring injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Maggette has been targeting an early-February return but there still isn't a clear timetable for his return. He didn't provide fantasy value in the six games he played this season, and probably isn't worth stashing until we at least hear a return date.
Jan. 29 - 12:45 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Bobcats on Twitter</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">Wizards coach Randy Wittman said Andray Blatche (calf) could have played in the second half of Saturday's game, but Wittman chose to rest him.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Blatche was being outrun by the Bobcats' frontcourt, and both Trevor Booker and Jan Vesely stepped up for the Wizards. We're considering Blatche day-to-day going forward, but it's worth noting that prior to his benching on Saturday he stared down Wittman, who wasn't happy with his shot selection.
Jan. 29 - 1:26 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>Luol Deng - F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luol Deng (wrist) will miss Sunday's game against the Miami Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Deng was questionable coming into Sunday, but he's not quite ready yet. The good news is that he practiced on Saturday, and coach Tom Thibodeau said he is "very close" to returning, leaving him questionable for Monday when the Bulls travel to Washington to take on the Wizards. Ronnie Brewer will start in his place on Sunday.
Jan. 29 - 2:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>C.J. Watson - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">C.J. Watson will not play Sunday due to a wrist injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The injury news comes out of nowhere, as Watson played well on Friday, scoring 13 points in a reserve role. There has been timetable set for his return.
Jan. 29 - 2:27 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Richard Hamilton - G/F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C Johnson, Richard Hamilton (groin) is "going to try to play" on Sunday against the Miami Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hamilton recently aggravated his groin injury and missed Friday's game, but he is going to try and gut it out on Sunday for the already short-handed Bulls. He is expected to be in the starting lineup.
Jan. 29 - 2:47 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>

 

[quantumleap]

Good stuff. Thanks Hache.

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Richard Hamilton - G/F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C Johnson, Richard Hamilton (groin) is "going to try to play" on Sunday against the Miami Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hamilton recently aggravated his groin injury and missed Friday's game, but he is going to try and gut it out on Sunday for the already short-handed Bulls. He is expected to be in the starting lineup.
Jan. 29 - 2:47 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>C.J. Watson - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">C.J. Watson will not play Sunday due to a wrist injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The injury news comes out of nowhere, as Watson played well on Friday, scoring 13 points in a reserve role. There has been timetable set for his return.</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 miss Sunday's game against the Miami Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Deng was questionable coming into Sunday, but he's not quite ready yet. The good news is that he practiced on Saturday, and coach Tom Thibodeau said he is "very close" to returning, leaving him questionable for Monday when the Bulls travel to Washington to take on the Wizards. Ronnie Brewer will start in his place on Sunday.
Jan. 29 - 2:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 will play on Sunday after missing three consecutive games due to a sprained left ankle.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is good news for a banged-up Celtics team that will again be without Rajon Rondo (wrist). In addition, Keyon Dooling (hip) has also been ruled out for Sunday's game.
Jan. 29 - 5:12 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ryan Anderson - F - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ryan Anderson (calf) will return from a one-game absence on Sunday against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It doesn't sound like Anderson is at 100 percent yet, but he will attempt to play, according to coach Stan Van Gundy.
Jan. 29 - 4:58 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Josh Robbins</td></tr></tbody></table>