NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/26/11)

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Baron Davis - G - Cavaliers

Baron Davis is having an MRI performed on his ailing knee.
No surprise here, as Baron's knee has been painful and swollen recently, and (despite his public willingness) he doesn't seem motivated to suit up for the lowly Cavaliers. Feb. 26 - 3:27 p.m. ET
Source: Lisa Dillman on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

David West - F - Hornets

David West is expected to be back in the lineup Sunday night when the Hornets host the Rockets.
Feb. 26 - 3:22 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Kendrick Perkins - C - Thunder

Newly acquired Thunder center Kendrick Perkins will miss two-to-three weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
This is a tough break for OKC and Perkins, who won't have much time to gel before the playoffs roll around. In the meantime, Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison will be asked to do some heavy lifting in the frontcourt. Feb. 26 - 3:20 p.m. ET
Source: OKBlitz.com

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Goran Dragic - G - Rockets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Rockets guard Goran Dragic didn't go through shootaround on Saturday but he is expected to play tonight.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Houston is waiting for Aaron Brooks to complete his physical, which should be done soon, clearing the way for Dragic to make his Rockets debut.
Feb. 26 - 12:54 p.m. ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Carmelo Anthony practiced on Saturday despite his sore elbow, and he will play on Sunday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>This confirms that Melo's injury isn't a major concern, though he said it's been bothering him for a while and it's worth keeping an eye on.
Feb. 26 - 12:27 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Alan Hahn on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Andrew Bogut - C - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andrew Bogut confirmed that he expects to have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow during the off-season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"I'm trying to last the season first," Bogut said. "It's getting tough. It's very sore every game and it's throbbing at night. I'm trying to push through it, but I'm definitely going to have to have a scope." Bogut is shooting a career-low 48.6% from the field and just 41.4% from the FT line -- if the Bucks don't start winning and the playoffs become out of reach, it seems quite possible that he'll be shut down.
Feb. 26 - 11:03 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Kevin Love - F/C - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kevin Love admitted that the Wolves' struggles have made him "a little discouraged."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Minnesota is 13-46 this year, despite Love's brilliant play, and they have lost the past seven consecutive games. Even coach Kurt Rambis was blunt in his appraisal of the team, saying, "We have nobody who can step up and take over a game when needed."
Feb. 26 - 10:58 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Mo Williams - G - Clippers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mo Williams (ankle) is doubtful to play for the Clippers on Saturday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams injured his ankle over a week ago but apparently it's still lingering -- in the meantime, L.A. will continue to lean heavily on Eric Bledsoe at point guard.
Feb. 26 - 10:26 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Sports Insights on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Steve Nash - G - Suns </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Steve Nash said he would be "open" to eventually leaving the Suns, but stressed that he never requested a trade.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Nash is having a brilliant season at age 37, yet the Suns are just 10th in the West, and you have to respect his dedication to Phoenix. He is the league’s all-time leader in playoff games without an appearance in the Finals.
Feb. 26 - 9:52 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: National Post</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Jeff Green - F - Celtics </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic will participate in shootaround on Saturday and will make their Celtics' debuts tonight vs. the Clippers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Green's value takes a hit in Boston, where he'll come off the bench, while Krstic isn't likely to play much once Boston restocks their frontcourt.
Feb. 26 - 9:28 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Boston Herald</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Kevin Durant - F - Thunder

Kevin Durant practiced on Saturday and is "fine" according to beat writer Darnell Mayberry.
KD seemed to be injured as he exited the court on Friday, but whatever it was isn't a cause for concern. Feb. 26 - 5:38 p.m. ET
Source: Darnell Mayberry on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Nenad Krstic - F/C - Celtics

Nenad Krstic will start for the Celtics on Saturday.
Krstic gives Boston a healthy center who can knock down mid-range jumpers, which is all they can ask for until Shaq (and eventually Jermaine O'Neal) return to action. Despite the starting gig, it's hard to see Krstic having significant value. Feb. 26 - 5:37 p.m. ET
Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors

Andrea Bargnani missed Saturday's practice with flu-like symptoms.
We're calling him questionable for Sunday's game vs. Dallas, which tips off at 6pm EST, but hopefully we'll have an update in the afternoon. Feb. 26 - 5:20 p.m. ET
Source: Ryan Wolstat on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Kirk Hinrich - G - Hawks

Kirk Hinrich could start for the Hawks on Sunday to better match up with Blazers' PG Andre Miller.
Hinrich and Jeff Teague appear fated to a timeshare regardless of who is starting, but this is well worth watching over the next few weeks. Feb. 26 - 5:14 p.m. ET

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Rodney Stuckey - G - Pistons

Rodney Stuckey and Austin Daye will both start for the Pistons on Saturday.
Stuckey and Daye were fined for their actions on Friday, but they at least showed up late to shootaround and thus appear to have earned lighter punishments. Feb. 26 - 6:22 p.m. ET

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Tracy McGrady - G/F - Pistons

Tracy McGrady will be inactive for the Pistons again on Saturday.
McGrady is reportedly out with an 'illness' but we're guessing this is the result of his blowing off yesterday's shootaround. He was also spotted (with others) laughing while John Kuester was ejected from Friday's game, and his relationship with 'Q' can't get much worse. Feb. 26 - 6:19 p.m. ET
Source: Ben Bagley on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Tayshaun Prince - F - Pistons

Tayshaun Prince (hip) won't play on Saturday.
Whether he's actually out with a hip injury or due to coach's decision is unclear, as is virtually everything in the murky world of the Pistons. . Feb. 26 - 6:17 p.m. ET
Source: Dave Pemberton on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Richard Hamilton - G/F - Pistons

Rip Hamilton will not play for the Pistons on Saturday.
The official reason is probably a groin injury or some other malady, but the Pistons are working on a buyout offer for Rip and clearly have no intention of playing him. We're still waiting to hear which of the Pistons will be deployed by coach John Kuester after Friday's much-publicized player revolt. Feb. 26 - 6:15 p.m. ET
Source: David Locke on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Devin Harris - G - Jazz

Devin Harris will start for the Jazz on Saturday, replacing veteran guard Earl Watson.
It was only a matter of time before this switch was made, and Harris should have been in all starting lineups regardless. He had 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in his Jazz debut. Feb. 26 - 6:12 p.m. ET

HacheMan · Feb 26, 2011

Aaron Brooks - G - Suns

Aaron Brooks has passed his physical and should play for the Suns on Sunday.
There was some concern about his ankle, but he's been averaging 23 minutes in the past month and it doesn't seem like a going concern. This also clears Goran Dragic to play for the Rockets. Feb. 26 - 6:07 p.m. ET
Source: Jonathan Feigen on Twitter