NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/22/12)

[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 (calf) is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Blatche has been out since tearing his left muscle on Jan. 28. He still hasn't done any on-court work, but that should be coming very soon. Blatche and his $35 million contract project to eventually take back the starting power forward job from Trevor Booker. In 13 starts this season, Blatche struggled to 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Feb. 21 - 2:26 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>Gerald Henderson - G/F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Gerald Henderson (hamstring) will not play in Wednesday's game against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Henderson is improving, but he still hasn't put in a full practice. We're tentatively expecting him back right after the All-Star break. At that point, Reggie Williams will be forced back to a reserve role.
Feb. 21 - 2:25 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>Kevin Garnett - F - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Celtics are not ruling Kevin Garnett (personal) out for Wednesday's game against the Thunder.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Garnett is dealing with a family matter, meaning the Celtics really don't know when he'll be back with the team. We do know that Chris Wilcox (adductor) and Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) both went down on Monday night, leaving the Celts' frontcourt extremely thin.
Feb. 21 - 2:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN Boston</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 surgery) won't play again until February of 2013 at the earliest.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Oden underwent the third microfracture procedure of his career on Monday. Considering he's currently on a one-year contract, there's a good chance the Blazers release the former No. 1 overall pick to free up a roster spot. Although neither the Blazers nor Oden will say it, it's possible we never see him on an NBA court again.
Feb. 21 - 2:08 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Blazersedge.com</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 has left the Hawks and returned to Atlanta for an MRI on his left knee.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Johnson will miss the final two games before the All-Star break and may end up skipping Sunday's All-Star game. The Hawks will be hoping that the MRI confirms the original diagnosis of mere tendinitis and no structural damage. In the meantime, Tracy McGrady, Kirk Hinrich and Willie Green are all candidates to get burn at the shooting guard position.
Feb. 21 - 2:03 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Linas Kleiza - G/F - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Linas Kleiza (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kleiza was tentatively expected to return, so the fact that he's questionable indicates that his knee may not be progressing as the team had hoped. He was limited to only shooting at practice on Tuesday and has missed the last two games. He's averaging 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 treys in 22 minutes per game this year.
Feb. 21 - 1:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mike Dunleavy will play through an injury to his right (shooting) ring finger on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's a situation to monitor, but doesn't sound like a cause for major concern. Dunleavy scored 18 points on Monday (the day after he injured the finger) and should be in line for plenty of run with Stephen Jackson (hamstring) out on Wednesday.
Feb. 22 - 3:16 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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">The hamstring injury that will sideline Stephen Jackson on Wednesday is also the issue that held him out on Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jackson's absence on Monday was originally reported as a DNP-CD, but Scott Skiles said that Jackson -- who did dress Monday -- was only available "in an absolute emergency." Once healthy, a pre-deadline trade remains the best hope for re-establishing Jackson's lost value, but his contract ($10 million next year) won't make that easy.
Feb. 22 - 3:11 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Doc Rivers is planning to play Kevin Garnett 35 minutes in his return from a personal leave on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Garnett normally plays 30 minutes, but will get extra run with the Celtics' frontcourt thinned out by injuries. He's averaging 14.1 points, but will likely be asked to do more offensively against the Thunder on Wednesday.
Feb. 22 - 2:32 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSNNE.com</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">An MRI on Joe Johnson's knee showed no structural damage, confirming the original diagnosis of tendonitis.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Johnson will miss the All-Star Game, but it's good news for his second-half outlook that the injury isn't anything serious. The Hawks are planning to re-evaluate him prior to their first game after the break next week. Willie Green is slated to start in his place on Wednesday night.
Feb. 22 - 2:18 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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">Coach George Karl said that Nene (calf) "probably" won't play until after the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">In other words, owners shouldn't be counting on seeing him in the lineup. Karl added that both Ty Lawson (ankle) and Rudy Fernandez (back) are both game-time decisions, and the Nuggets are a banged-up team right now that will welcome the time off in order to get healthy.
Feb. 22 - 1:55 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andris Biedrins - C - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andris Biedrins, not Ekpe Udoh, will start at center for the Warriors on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Mark Jackson had been giving consideration to Udoh starting after he blew up in his last game, but it appears he'll stick with Biedrins for the time being. To say Biedrins has been a disappointment would be an understatement, as he's averaged 2.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 minutes per game. Udoh will see increased time going forward and is still a candidate to start at some point this season.
Feb. 22 - 1:32 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>James Harden - G/F - Thunder </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">James Harden (ankle) is a game-time decision against the Celtics on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thabo Sefolosha (foot) remains out for Oklahoma City as well. Daequan Cook would see all of the minutes he could handle if Harden can't play, and has averaged 6.7 points and 1.7 treys in 12 games as a starter.
Feb. 22 - 1:26 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Darnell Mayberry 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 (migraine/concussion) will not play once again on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Watson is following concussion protocol instituted by the league this season and is still being held out. Mike James and John Lucas will backup Derrick Rose.
Feb. 22 - 12:28 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After picking up a DNP-Coach's decision on Monday, Jackson is now dealing with a mysterious hamstring injury that previously went unreported. Scott Skiles and Jackson are not even close to being on the same page and Milwaukee likely regrets ever dealing for him. We'd have no problem dropping him for a hot free agent right now. He is a definitive candidate to be traded prior to the upcoming March 15 deadline. Mike Dunleavy played a huge role off the bench against Orlando on Monday with 18 points in 36 minutes and is poised for major playing time once again.
Feb. 22 - 12:26 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Drew Gooden - F/C - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Drew Gooden (wrist) remains out for the Bucks on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gooden was getting a second opinion and was realistically never a candidate to play on Wednesday. There has been no update on his condition and the Bucks will continue to lean on Larry Sanders and Jon Leuer inside, but Ersan Ilyasova is the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint.
Feb. 22 - 12:21 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jason Richardson - G/F - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jason Richardson (chest/virus) as once again been ruled out again on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">J.J. Redick owners rejoice with Richardson out of the lineup, and for good reason. In eight games as a starter this season, Redick has averaged 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 treys on 45.1 percent shooting. He's also shooting at a 95 percent clip from the line when he starts, and he can really help owners in need of help from beyond the arc.
Feb. 22 - 11:53 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Hedo Turkoglu - G/F - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Hedo Turkoglu (viral infection) is questionable to play against the Magic on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Turkoglu's status is "up in the air," as is teammate Earl Clark who is also dealing with a sickness of his own. If Turkoglu can't play, the Magic will have to get creative at the small forward spot with Quentin Richardson (quad) also banged up and considered questionable to play.
Feb. 22 - 11:50 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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) confirmed that he will once again play around 24 minutes on Wednesday against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Lopez will play after sitting out on Monday night against the Knicks, but it will be in limited fashion once again. New Jersey will exercise extreme caution in bringing Lopez back despite Lopez saying that he feels really good. The big man played 21 minutes on Sunday in his debut, logging nine points, two rebounds and a block. His production will improve as the season moves forward and his minutes increase.
Feb. 22 - 10:47 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kris Humphries - F - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kris Humphries (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There was no report of Humphries injuring himself, but he's experiencing soreness in the area and the strain will keep him sidelined. Humphries has been a beast of late, and he's really provided owners with solid value with season averages of 13.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 50.5 percent shooting. Now that he's out, the Nets will lean on a heavy dose of rookie Jordan Williams and veteran Shelden Williams down low.
Feb. 22 - 10:21 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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