NBA News/Injuries/etc. (12/28/10)

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Andre Iguodala - G/F - 76ers

Andre Iguodala (Achilles tendinitis) is listed as day-to-day and there is no official word on his status for Wednesday's game vs. Phoenix.
Sixers coach Doug Collins seemed hopeful that Iguodala would be available vs. the Suns, and it helps that Philly had a day off on Tuesday. Andres Nocioni will likely continue to start at SF for any games Iguodala misses. Dec. 28 - 3:16 p.m. ET
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Kevin Martin - G - Rockets

Kevin Martin sat out Tuesday's practice with a sore knee, but it is a precautionary decision and he expects to play vs. the Heat on Wednesday.
This doesn't seem concerning, as long as the 'precautionary' diagnosis is confirmed during Wednesday's shootaround. Martin is frail and draws lots of contact, however, so even seemingly minor injuries are worth keeping an eye on. Dec. 28 - 3:08 p.m. ET
Source: Jason Friedman

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors

Andrea Bargnani (calf) is not with the Raptors and will not play on Tuesday.
Bargnani's status for Friday's game is up in the air, though coach Jay Triano doesn't expect him to join the team during their road trip. Dec. 28 - 2:54 p.m. ET
Source: Matt Devlin

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Andris Biedrins - C - Warriors

Andris Biedrins (sprained left ankle) will accompany the Warriors on their five-game road trip, and hopes to resume playing before it ends.
Biedrins is averaging just 6.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game this season, but should quickly retake the starting job from Lou Amundson. Dec. 28 - 2:27 p.m. ET
Source: CSN Bay Area

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Vince Carter - G/F - Suns

Coach Alvin Gentry said he thinks Vince Carter (knee) will play some in Wednesday's game against the Sixers.
Carter was a little winded after going through his first full practice as a Sun. Gentry seems to be hinting that the veteran will be eased back in, making us think Jared Dudley could squeeze one more start out Wednesday. We'll know more after Wednesday's shootaround. Dec. 28 - 2:11 p.m. ET
Source: Paul Coro on Twitter

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Al Harrington - F - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Al Harrington (thumb) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Blazers and Wednesday's game against the Wolves.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Harrington dislocated his right thumb in Sunday's loss to the Sixers. It doesn't sound like he has any serious damage as the Nuggets are calling him day-to-day. Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith are going to be called upon for extra minutes.
Dec. 28 - 2:07 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Benjamin Hochman on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Carmelo Anthony - F - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach George Karl said that Carmelo Anthony's status for Tuesday night's game against the Blazers is still unknown.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It sounds like Anthony is still making his way back to Denver. For now, owners should prepare as if they won't have Melo until Wednesday's game in Minnesota. J.R. Smith would start if Anthony does not.
Dec. 28 - 2:02 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Benjamin Hochman on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Dirk Nowitzki - F - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Dirk Nowitzki (mild knee sprain) is out for Tuesday's game against the Raptors.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Mavericks are listing Nowitzki as day-to-day, a sure sign that his MRI revealed no serious damage. It's a huge sigh of relief for the Mavs and fantasy owners. Consider him questionable for Thursday's showdown with the Spurs. Look for Shawn Marion to start while Dirk is out, making the Matrix a decent spot-start.
Dec. 28 - 1:55 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Marc Stein on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tyrus Thomas is dealing with a sore wrist but is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Cavs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Thomas sat out contact drills in Tuesday's practice. He got 22 minutes off the bench in new coach Paul Silas' debut Monday night and is a good bet to get at least that much burn Wednesday. The new pace suits Thomas well.
Dec. 28 - 1:46 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Gerald Wallace - F - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Gerald Wallace (ankle) participated in Tuesday's practice and coach Paul Silas expects him to play against the Cavs Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Wallace himself was less optimistic, saying he'll see how he feels in the morning. But G-Wall is one of the toughest guys in the league, so perhaps we should have seen this early return coming. Wallace comes back to a new coach running an uptempo scheme, one that is sure to mesh well with his unique athleticism.
Dec. 28 - 1:37 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Brandon Jennings - G - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Brandon Jennings is already starting to do some rehab and is not in a boot, just one week after undergoing surgery to repair his fractured left foot.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Jennings is apparently able to put some weight on his foot already, which is a good sign for his conditioning. Even if he misses the full 4-6 weeks, he should be in reasonable shape upon his return. "There's no way of knowing exactly how long it will be, but so far he's been a quick healer so we'll see," said coach Scott Skiles.
Dec. 28 - 12:38 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Marcus Camby - F/C - Trail Blazers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Marcus Camby (ankle) said he is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Camby sprained his ankle in the third quarter of Monday's win over the Jazz and did not return. Considering the quick turnaround and Camby's history, we'd be surprised if he played tonight. Look for glue guy Dante Cunningham to get the start if Camby can't go.
Dec. 28 - 12:04 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: The Oregonian</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Andrei Kirilenko - F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andrei Kirilenko (lower back strain) will not practice Tuesday and is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Clippers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Kirilenko will travel with the Jazz to Los Angeles, a sign that this is not a major injury. But nagging issues have a history of costing AK47 more time than most players, so there's some reason for concern. We'd tentatively expect C.J. Miles to start tomorrow, with Mehmet Okur and Gordon Hayward also seeing a bump in minutes.
Dec. 28 - 11:54 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Brian Smith on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Deron Williams - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Deron Williams (wrist) will practice Tuesday and play against the Clippers Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>No surprise here. Williams just slightly sprained his right (shooting) wrist Monday night and merely needed some ice after the game. Look for a complement of minutes Wednesday for Williams, who is averaging career highs in points (22.7) and 3-pointers made per game (1.7).
Dec. 28 - 11:50 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Brian Smith on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Rajon Rondo - G - Celtics </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Doc Rivers said Rajon Rondo (ankle) may play against the Hornets Friday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It looks like Rondo has been ruled out of tonight's game against the Pacers and Wednesday's matchup with the Pistons. That meshes with the original two-week timetable set for Rondo, who hasn't played since Dec. 15. Nate Robinson has been disappointing as a fill-in, but will continue to see big minutes over the next two nights.
Dec. 28 - 11:33 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Gary Washburn on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andrew Bynum (knee) said he thinks he is still about a month away from starting.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bynum has been on a very strict rotation cap, failing to top 18 minutes in any of his six games so far this season. Coach Phil Jackson said his center's reactions are a little slow due to conditioning issues and he'd like Bynum to lose about 10 pounds. Still, Bynum is a strong bet to turn the corner sometime in January. He's worth stashing.
Dec. 28 - 10:32 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Fanhouse.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Aaron Brooks - G - Rockets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Rick Adelman said that plan is still for Aaron Brooks (ankle) to ease back into the starting lineup.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Brooks has come off the bench in each of his four games since returning from that severely sprained ankle. The Rockets are 4-0 during that stretch. "We're not going to work him in quickly," Adelman said. "His timing has to get there. Right now, he's just kind of a little uncomfortable." Brooks will eventually return to the starting five and get 30 minutes a night, but it's unclear when that will be. Kyle Lowry has the team playing excellent ball and Brooks still looks a little gimpy at times.
Dec. 28 - 9:39 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Houston Chronicle</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Monta Ellis - G - Warriors </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Monta Ellis insisted that his sprained right ankle wasn't bothering him during Monday's win over the Sixers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Ellis was spotted limping a little bit and even his teammates acknowledged that he's hurting. But the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week logged 43 dominating minutes and we're not concerned. Ellis should be ready for 40-plus more minutes against the Hawks Wednesday.
Dec. 28 - 9:19 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: San Francisco Chronicle</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Leandro Barbosa - G - Raptors

Leandro Barbosa (knee) is a game-time decision for Tuesday.
With Jose Calderon (foot) also iffy, it's looking like it could be a productive Tuesday evening for Jerryd Bayless. Dec. 28 - 6:37 p.m. ET
Source: Matt Devlin on Twitter

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2010

Jose Calderon - G - Raptors

Jose Calderon (foot) and Leandro Barbosa (knee) are both game-time decisions for Tuesday.
The absence of one or both would directly impact Jerryd Bayless, who was slowed by food poisoning recently but could be in line for a big game if Calderon sits. Hopefully we'll have confirmation on Calderon and Barbosa's status before tipoff. Dec. 28 - 6:35 p.m. ET
Source: Matt Devlin