NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/3/11)

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers

Andrew Bynum (left knee) is listed as probable and is fully expected to play against the Spurs on Thursday.
There was a ton of angst about this injury, but the fact that it was not to Bynum's surgically repaired right knee proved to be huge. He'll only miss one game and is expected to start tonight. Since joining the starting lineup on Dec. 29, Bynum is averaging 27.5 minutes a night. Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol take small hits with the big man ready to go. Feb. 3 - 5:01 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Jason Thompson - F/C - Kings

Jason Thompson (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Thompson went through light drills at practice Thursday. Even if he plays, however, it's unclear if he'll regain his starting job. The Kings liked what the twin towers lineup of Sam Dalembert and DeMarcus Cousins did on Tuesday and coach Paul Westphal has no qualms about a player losing his job due to injury. Feb. 3 - 4:25 p.m. ET
Source: Kings on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks

Amare Stoudemire (knees) sat out the contact portions of Thursday's practice.
This is just a precaution to keep Stoudemire healthy. He's in no real danger of missing Friday's game against the Sixers. Stoudemire has played in all 48 games so far this season, averaging a robust 37.2 minutes a night. Feb. 3 - 4:07 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Trevor Ariza - G/F - Hornets

Trevor Ariza (ankle) could be out for two weeks, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
The Hornets are reportedly set to sign Sasha Pavlovic to a 10-day contract. If Ariza's timetable really is two weeks, he will almost certainly sit out through the All-Star break. The Hornets' first game after the break is Feb 23 -- exactly three weeks from when Ariza went down. Rookie Quincy Pondexter is tentatively expected to start in place of Ariza, but he'll chop up minutes with Willie Green and Marcus Thornton. Feb. 3 - 3:54 p.m. ET
Source: Marc Stein on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Shaquille O'Neal - C - Celtics

Shaquille O'Neal missed Celtic practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Mavs.
Shaq doesn't have any real injury -- he's just old and broken down. It sounds like he might just sit out Friday to rest. If so, Kendrick Perkins would get his first start of the year. Perkins, just seven months removed from knee surgery, has played 20 minutes or more in four straight games and looks healthy. Feb. 3 - 3:52 p.m. ET
Source: Chris Forsberg on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Leandro Barbosa - G - Raptors

Leandro Barbosa (hamstring) is expected to return for Friday night's game against the Wolves.
Barbosa has missed 11 straight games, meaning we'd expect him to be eased in slowly. But with Jerryd Bayless (knee) questionable, Barbosa may be asked to play significant minutes. The Brazilian Blur was playing about 25-27 minutes off the bench before pulling his hammy. Feb. 3 - 3:41 p.m. ET
Source: Holly MacKenzie on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Brandon Bass - F - Magic </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Stan Van Gundy confirmed that Brandon Bass (ankle) is expected to miss at least the next five games.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>At this point, we would be very surprised if Bass plays before Feb. 23 -- the Magic's first game after the All-Star break. If he truly has a high-ankle sprain, Bass will be lucky to be back by then.
Feb. 3 - 2:43 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Associated Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Luke Ridnour - G - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Luke Ridnour (personal) did not practice Thursday and will not travel with the Wolves to Toronto.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Ridnour could conceivably meet the team in Toronto in time for Friday's game, but we doubt that will happen. Jonny Flynn will get another chance to wrestle the starting job away. However, Flynn hasn't come close to playing well enough to make that happen yet.
Feb. 3 - 2:41 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Kent Youngblood on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Jordan Farmar - G - Nets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jordan Farmar will have an MRI on his back Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Farmer's back is not healing naturally. He isn't traveling with the Nets to Detroit for tomorrow's game and won't play Sunday either. With Devin Harris trade rumors cooling off, Farmar is more than safe to drop.
Feb. 3 - 2:19 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Colin Stephenson on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Linas Kleiza - G/F - Raptors </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Linas Kleiza underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee Wednesday and is out for the season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Kleiza's 2011-12 season is in jeopardy as well since typical recovery time from this surgery is 9-12 months. But at age 26, Kleiza should be able to make a full recovery a la Amare Stoudemire. In the meantime, this news locks Sonny Weems in as the starting small forward for the foreseeable future. Weems is averaging 11.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 21 starts this season.
Feb. 3 - 2:13 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Marc Spears on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Francisco Garcia - G/F - Kings </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Francisco Garcia (calf) is listed as out for Friday's game against the Spurs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>We haven't heard any news about Garcia even getting back in practice. Meanwhile, Omri Casspi has been logging huge minutes and playing well. Garcia could very well return as a bench player.
Feb. 3 - 1:14 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Sacramento Bee</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Jason Maxiell - F/C - Pistons </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jason Maxiell (back) has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Nets.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Maxiell is out indefinitely and is a poor bet to get back in the rotation anytime soon.
Feb. 3 - 12:51 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Keith Langlois on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Rodney Stuckey - G - Pistons </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Rodney Stuckey (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Nets.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>This shoulder bruise is costing Stuckey a ton of time. He'll likely miss his fourth straight game Friday, giving red-hot Ben Gordon another start at shooting guard. The good news for Stuckey is that the Pistons have gone 0-3 without him. His role as a starter should be secure.
Feb. 3 - 12:50 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Keith Langlois on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Wilson Chandler - G/F - Knicks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Wilson Chandler (calf) confirmed that he will play against the Sixers Friday after practicing Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It remains to be seen if Chandler will rejoin the starting lineup or if Ronny Turiaf will continue to start. Either way, Chandler is a good bet for 25-30 minutes once he gets back to full strength.
Feb. 3 - 12:39 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 3, 2011

J.J. Redick - G - Magic </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>J.J. Redick (shoulder) will play against the Heat Thursday night.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Redick will come off the bench, but could be looking at a little bump in minutes while Brandon Bass is out.
Feb. 3 - 12:36 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Ira Winderman on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Derrick Rose - G - Bulls </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Derrick Rose confirmed that he has been eating full meals and his stomach ulcers aren't really an issue.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Rose's ulcers proved to be more of a scare than a concern. He didn't miss a game and went off for 32 points, 11 assists and four 3-pointers last night.
Feb. 3 - 12:21 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Chicago Tribune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Nenad Krstic - F/C - Thunder </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Nenad Krstic is set for an MRI on his right foot Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Krstic is extremely injury prone, so this foot sprain is a real concern. If he were to miss time, Serge Ibaka would be locked into 28-30 minutes nightly as a starter.
Feb. 3 - 11:57 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mavs owner Mark Cuban said that he would be willing to acquire an impending free agent of Carmelo Anthony's caliber without securing a contract extension.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Cuban isn't allowed to mention Anthony by name, but it was clear who he was talking about. The confident owner said that he would take on the challenge of convincing the rental player to stay. The Mavs remain a long shot to acquire Anthony, but the fact that they will trade for him without an extension could go a long way in the Nuggets' eyes. Adding Carmelo to their shaky small forward position would make the Mavs instant title contenders.
Feb. 3 - 11:42 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mo Williams (hip) could start on-court running as soon as Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams has been running on an underwater treadmill and is waiting to be cleared for normal running. Once that happens, he'll likely take part in a non-contact phase before returning to a full practice. Assuming no setbacks, it's possible we'll see the veteran back in games just before the All-Star break.
Feb. 3 - 11:35 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 3, 2011

Daniel Gibson - G - Cavaliers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Daniel Gibson (quad) is targeting Friday's game against the Grizzlies for his return.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Gibson still has some swelling and bruising in his quad. If he doesn't play Friday, the Cavs are fully expecting their sharpshooter to play Saturday. Note that Gibson will come off the bench upon his return, capping his projected minutes around 27-30.
Feb. 3 - 11:20 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Akron Beacon-Journal</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>