NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/28/12)

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrea Bargnani (calf) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Rockets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bargnani said that his calf was feeling better and that he did some swimming rehab and "light" on-court work, but he's still not ready to go quite yet. He still has no timetable for a return, and he hasn't played in a game since January 25. Owners will have to continue to be patient with Bargnani right now.
Feb. 28 - 10:48 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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) was held out of contact work at Grizzlies practice Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Randolph ran sprints and got shots up, but wasn't allowed to work out with the team. He's still having trouble with cutting and lateral movement on that torn MCL. Z-Bo is almost certainly out for Wednesday's game against the Mavs and there's still no firm target date for his return. "I don't know," he said. "When I think I'm right. When I can do everything I'm used to doing." Considering the Grizz have three games in four nights this week, we wouldn't expect to see Randolph until next week at the earliest.
Feb. 28 - 10:29 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Charlie Villanueva - F - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Charlie Villanueva (ankle) finally returned to practice on Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Villanueva has been irrelevant this season, but is slowly working his way back from injury. "I'm feeling real good; I went through the first 20 minutes of practice, non-contact, and felt pretty good," Villanueva said. The forward remains out, but there is hope that he could return next week for the Pistons.
Feb. 28 - 7:42 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Detroit Free Press</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant's (nose) status for Wednesday's game against Minnesota is "uncertain."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bryant will meet with a specialist on Tuesday, and at that time we should have a really strong idea as to whether or not he'll play on Wednesday. Bryant has a reputation of playing through any and any ailment he possibly can. He's averaging 28.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 treys this season.
Feb. 28 - 7:39 a.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>Emeka Okafor - C - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Emeka Okafor (knee), Carl Landry (knee) and Jason Smith (concussion) are all out for Tuesday's game against the Bulls.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Feb. 28 - 6:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrew Bynum (knee) did everything but scrimmage in Tuesday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Feb. 28 - 7:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter</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">The Bulls are optimistic that Richard Hamilton (thigh/groin) will return for Tuesday's game against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hamilton is warming up as we speak. If he feels good after that, he'll play for the first time since Jan. 29. Hamilton projects to share shooting guard minutes with Ronnie Brewer initially.
Feb. 28 - 6:50 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Nick Friedell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant (broken nose, possible concussion) is headed for an MRI and a meeting with a neurologist.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kobe did not practice on Tuesday and remains very questionable for Wednesday's game against the Wolves. He's experiencing "further symptoms" stemming from the hard foul he took at the hands of Dwyane Wade in the All-Star game. If Kobe does end up getting diagnosed with a concussion, he'll have to wait until all symptoms subside before getting cleared for physical activity.
Feb. 28 - 6:38 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter</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) was initially told that he would miss one week from last Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's confirmation that Curry's sprained right foot tendon is not considered serious. He was allowed to work out prior to Tuesday's game against the Pacers, another sign that this is not expected to be an extended absence. While a return Wednesday in Atlanta seems overly optimistic, it's possible Curry will target Friday's game against the Sixers.
Feb. 28 - 6:56 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>Richard Hamilton - G/F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rip Hamilton will start for the Bulls on Tuesday after missing a month with a groin injury.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">We're a little surprised he's going to start, and while it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy, deep leaguers should take notice.
Feb. 28 - 7:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rashard Lewis - F - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Lewis will miss Tuesday's game with a sore left knee.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">We'd like to think this would mean big things for Chris Singleton and Trevor Booker, but they've already been starting, and are just too inconsistent to be relied upon. Lewis is day-to-day, and his knees have not held up well over the last two seasons.
Feb. 28 - 7:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 left Tuesday's game with a right pinkie finger injury and went to the locker room in the second quarter.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hopefully it's dislocated and not broken, but either way, this is not great news. We'll update his status as soon as we know more.
Feb. 28 - 8:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 left Tuesday's game with a right elbow contusion and has been seen on the bench, smiling.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It initially looked like a hand or finger injury, but he simply didn't have much feeling in his hand shortly after the injury. All indications are that he will be back in the game soon, so it looks like a crisis has been avoided.
Feb. 28 - 8:01 p.m. ET</td></tr></tbody></table>