NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/13/12)

HacheMan · Feb 13, 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">Coach Tom Thibodeau says tat Joakim Noah is "back to where he was at [the beginning] of last season."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After a lethargic start to the season, Noah has really picked up his energy level. Over the last 10 games, he's averaging 12.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 blocks while playing 32.7 minutes. "He's playing a complete game right now, so we've got to continue to have him do that," Thibodeau said.
Feb. 13 - 5:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 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 (groin) could return "toward the end of the week," according to the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Anthony isn't going to play in the back-to-back that starts Tuesday in Toronto. The earliest he'll return is for Friday's home game against the Hornets, but that is certainly not a lock. Groin injuries tend to linger and the Knicks are playing their best ball of the season without Melo.
Feb. 13 - 4:25 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Anthony Parker - G - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Anthony Parker (back) remains sidelined.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Parker has now been out for two full weeks, hinting at a serious back issue. The Cavs have provided no details on the extent of the veteran's injury. Meanwhile, Daniel Gibson continues to provide excellent 3-point shooting and defense as the starting shooting guard. In the last three games, he's averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 3-pointers made.
Feb. 13 - 2:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Anderson Varejao - F/C - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Anderson Varejao is still undergoing testing on his fractured right wrist.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Cavs provided no update on Tuesday, other than coach Byron Scott saying he hasn't heard the word surgery yet. Still, various outlets have speculated that Varejao is likely out at least a month even if he doesn't go under the knife. The damage is to his shooting hand. Semih Erden has been installed as the starting center, with rookie Tristan Thompson expected to see a major boost in minutes as well.
Feb. 13 - 2:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kyrie Irving - G - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kyrie Irving (concussion) did all non-contact work at Monday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Irving hasn't been cleared for Wednesday's game yet, but beat writer Jason Lloyd says it "sounds like" that could come Tuesday. Irving will need to wake up symptom-free and then get final clearance from the NBA's independent doctor. We'll know more if/when Irving returns to practice Tuesday afternoon.
Feb. 13 - 2:10 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

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

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Darko was starting before his injury, but it's hard to see the Wolves removing a red-hot and impressive Nikola Pekovic from that role. Either way, both centers will be needed Monday as they try to deal with Dwight Howard. Pekovic has earned 25-30 minutes per game while Milicic has been injury-prone and mostly unproductive throughout his career.
Feb. 13 - 12:48 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luke Ridnour - G - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luke Ridnour is not with the team for Monday's game against the Magic due to personal reasons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There's no word yet on when Ridnour will return to the team. The last time he missed a game, Wayne Ellington started at shooting guard and scored 16 points in 38 minutes. A repeat of that performance is unlikely with J.J. Barea, Martell Webster and Michael Beasley all healthy now and vying for burn.
Feb. 13 - 12:19 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 · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Brook Lopez - C - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Brook Lopez (foot) said he doesn't think "there's anything [left to do]" in terms of his rehab.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Nets are holding a weightlifting session on Monday and then practicing on Tuesday. Lopez seems to think he'll be cleared to participate in that practice. The Nets are going to be cautious here, but Lopez is chomping at the bit.
Feb. 13 - 12:00 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Chris Kaman - F/C - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Chris Kaman (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Jazz.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kaman's sprained left ankle was heavily wrapped at Sunday's practice, but he did take part in shootaround. He won't feel pressure to play with the 4-23 Hornets publicly putting him on the trade block late last month. Still, this one appears headed for a true game-time call.
Feb. 13 - 11:25 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Emeka Okafor - C - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Emeka Okafor (knee) and Chris Kaman (ankle) are both questionable for Monday's game against the Jazz.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This one comes out of nowhere as Okafor hasn't missed a game all year and logged 38 productive minutes against the Blazers on Friday. He's known as one of the league's tough guys, so we wouldn't be surprised to see him gut it out through this soreness. Jason Smith (concussion) and Carl Landry (knee) are both out for the Hornets' ravaged front line, opening up the potential of heavy minutes for Gustavo Ayon.
Feb. 13 - 11:19 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Amare Stoudemire (personal) returned to the Knicks for Monday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire's mental state is in doubt after losing his brother, but his on-court outlook has improved. With pick-and-roll point guard Jeremy Lin now entrenched, Stoudemire should be more involved offensively. "I can't wait to get him back," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We should go to another level, no doubt about it." Stoudemire is averaging just 18.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks so far this season.
Feb. 13 - 10:39 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Brandon Bass - F - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Brandon Bass (knee) is now expected to miss 10-14 days.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bass is feeling inflammation in his troublesome right knee. He's not expected back before the Feb. 23 All-Star break. With Jermaine O'Neal (shoulder) also out, the Celtics were forced to start Kevin Garnett at center and Chris Wilcox at power forward on Sunday.
Feb. 13 - 9:22 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<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">Derrick Rose will see a back specialist in Chicago on Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose said that he has had a hard time walking without pain for the past few days, causing him to sit out two straight games. He also admitted that his back woes date all the way back to high school. Rose owners should be protecting themselves by adding explosive backup C.J. Watson.
Feb. 13 - 9:04 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<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">Zach Randolph (knee) remains on pace to return in early March.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Randolph underwent another MRI Monday morning on his torn MCL and the results were encouraging. As expected, he has been cleared to begin non-contact drills on the court. Although the Grizzlies have not released an official timetable, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is speculating that Randolph could target March 7 for his return. If that happens, Z-Bo would potentially play in the final 29 games of the season.
Feb. 13 - 5:13 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<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">A back specialist confirmed that Derrick Rose does not have any structural issues in his back.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Feb. 13 - 5:39 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 · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Gerald Henderson - G/F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Paul Silas said Gerald Henderson (hamstring) could possibly be back by the end of the week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Feb. 13 - 6:06 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 · Feb 13, 2012

<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">Coach Monty Williams said there is nothing new to report on Eric Gordon (knee).</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Feb. 13 - 6:40 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 · Feb 13, 2012

<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">Despite the positive reports about Derrick Rose's back spasms, he is not expected to play on Tuesday against the Kings, according to Sam Smith.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose is truly day-to-day and while he hasn't been ruled out for Tuesday, it sounds like he is very unlikely to play in that one. It could be a long week for his fantasy owners. If Rose is out, C.J. Watson would be a strong play against the Kings.
Feb. 13 - 7:46 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nene Hilario - F/C - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nene (calf) and Danilo Gallinari (ankle) are technically listed as questionable for Tuesday, but neither is expected to play.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gallinari and Nene could miss several more games with their injuries, so keep them benched until we get more positive news.
Feb. 13 - 7:43 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 13, 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">There are conflicting reports on when Carmelo Anthony will return from his groin injury, as the Knicks said on Twitter that he could return "toward the end of the week."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">However, in the attached ESPN column, Ian Begley writes that Melo took a "standard recovery day" off on Monday, and is will play on Tuesday. Until we hear it from a second source, we're more inclined to believe the Knicks and believe he will miss a game or two this week, but it's also possible he plays on Tuesday. Watch for more information on Tuesday.
Feb. 13 - 7:37 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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