NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/23/12)

[HacheMan]

<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">Coach Byron Scott said he hopes Anderson Varejao (wrist) will play in the final 25 games of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Scott is just reiterating the most optimistic side of Varejao's original timetable here. The starting center was expected to miss 4-6 weeks from mid-February, so a March 18 return would leave him with 25 games. Note that the fracture was to Varejao's right (shooting) wrist.
Feb. 23 - 4:47 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer</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) is fully expected to play in the Nets' first game following the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Humphries' calf strain is not a "pull" like the ones Andrea Bargnani and Tiago Splitter have suffered this year. Humphries enters the All-Star break averaging career-highs in points (13.6), rebounds (10.5) and blocks (1.2).
Feb. 23 - 4:06 p.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>Tony Parker - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tony Parker will start in Thursday's game against the Nuggets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Parker was given Tuesday off to rest. He'll be fresh and may not have to deal with Ty Lawson (questionable, ankle). Parker is a candidate for 37-plus minutes depending on game flow.
Feb. 23 - 3:57 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Antonio Express-News</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tim Duncan - F/C - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tim Duncan will start in Thursday's game against the Nuggets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Duncan was just given a simple day of rest on Tuesday. With a week off looming and Tiago Splitter (calf) out, the veteran should play heavy minutes Thursday. Duncan has seen 32-plus minutes in three of his last four games.
Feb. 23 - 3:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Antonio Express-News</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kenyon Martin - F - Clippers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kenyon Martin's injury is being described as bruised ribs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">On Wednesday night, Martin took a shot to the ribs in the second quarter and also dealt with a bad back. Neither ailment sounds serious, but it's a reminder that Martin has a long history of injuries and is now 34. As he continues to wear down, youngster DeAndre Jordan's minute count will get back to where it was earlier in the season.
Feb. 23 - 3:31 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rudy Fernandez - G/F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rudy Fernandez (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Fernandez has missed three straight games, thus blowing an opportunity for a minutes boost while Danilo Gallinari (ankle) rehabs.
Feb. 23 - 3:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Curry - G - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Stephen Curry (foot) is "very optimistic" he won't miss any games, according to agent Lance Young.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Warriors' next game is Tuesday at Indiana. Curry will use the All-Star break to meet with his team of ankle/foot doctors, rest and rehab. Still, it's important to note that the "very optimistic" tag here is coming from his agent. Curry admitted that the pain Wednesday night "felt like someone stabbing him in his foot" and the latest damage is on the same right wheel that has given him so many problems before. Explosive gunner Nate Robinson is the backup.
Feb. 23 - 3:19 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Contra Costa Times</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) said he is confident he'll be ready to play in the Bobcats' first game following the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Henderson has been doing full sprints and some jumping. The final test will come at practices on Monday and Tuesday. Once up to speed, Henderson projects as the starting shooting guard for the rest of the season, thus sending Reggie Williams to the bench. Henderson was leading the team in both points (15.0) and minutes (33.9) before going down.
Feb. 23 - 2:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Charlotte Observer</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 (concussion) is expected to be cleared after the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Watson should have no problems finishing the league's concussion protocol by next week. However, he'll be a strict backup now that Derrick Rose's back issues appear to be in the rearview mirror.
Feb. 23 - 2:21 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Chicago Sun-Times</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">Richard Hamilton (thigh/groin) has begun taking contact in recent workouts.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hamilton appears to be targeting the Bulls' first game after the All-Star break for his return. Still, it's worth noting that coach Tom Thibodeau said the 34-year-old won't be rushed and will likely see reduced minutes initially. Hamilton has played in just 11 of the Bulls' 35 games this year.
Feb. 23 - 2:17 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Chicago Sun-Times</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 St. Paul Pioneer Press confirms that the Lakers have "expressed interest" in trading for Michael Beasley.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">ESPN reported similarly earlier this week. Beasley's role has trailed off significantly of late as he's averaging 16.2 minutes over the last five games and played just nine on Wednesday night. He would fill a glaring need in Los Angeles, where an inept Metta World Peace is trying to hold down the small forward spot. The Pioneer Press suggests Beasley could be had in exchange for a first-round pick.
Feb. 23 - 2:06 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 denied rumors that he requested the Bulls make a play to trade for Pau Gasol.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"It was all false and that's something I'll never do," Rose said. "I'm good with teammates that I have." The idea never made much sense and this should pretty much end all of the conversation about Pau Gasol potentially winding up in Chicago.
Feb. 23 - 7:23 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSN Chicago</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) is warming up on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Richardson remains a game-time call, but he says he feels better and has a chance to suit up. We'll have official word on his status within the next 30 minutes.
Feb. 23 - 6:26 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jameer Nelson - G - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jameer Nelson (knee) will not play in Thursday's game against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Magic are on a back-to-back situation and are also playing their fourth road game in five nights. This sounds like routine soreness for Nelson and a precaution ahead of the All-Star break. Backup Chris Duhon has averaged 6.2 points, 4.5 assists, 1.2 3-pointers and 1.0 steals in six starts this season.
Feb. 23 - 6:21 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Brian Schmitz 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) is active and starting in Thursday's game against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Richardson has been medically cleared and feeling good following his early-week scare. His return sends J.J. Redick back to the bench, but the sharpshooter may get some extra minutes with Jameer Nelson (knee) out. Richardson should be fine for his usual 26-30 minutes.
Feb. 23 - 6:40 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Brian Schmitz 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 showed up on the injury report as a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Lakers due to a wrist injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Harden returned from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury and played well last night. Daequan Cook has been putting up somewhat serviceable numbers in his current role as starting shooting guard, and will be a stronger spot-play if Harden can't go.
Feb. 23 - 8:25 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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