NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/9/11)

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Marcus Camby - F/C - Trail Blazers

Marcus Camby (knee) returned to practice on Tuesday.
"Camby is moving," Nate McMillan said. "He's not moving smoothly, but he was out there moving." Not exactly the glowing practice report we were hoping to hear, and the Blazers have yet to update his status. We won't yet rule out the possibility that he'll be able to come back this weekend, but it sounds like he has at least a little ways to go before he's ready. Feb. 9 - 4:38 p.m. ET
Source: The Columbian

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers

Kobe Bryant received electric stimulation treatment on his left ankle following Wednesday's practice.
It was the left ankle that caused Kobe to miss end his streak of 235 consecutive games played last February, but we don't see any significant cause for concern here. Kobe is known for playing through pain and will be in the starting lineup for a matchup with the Celtics on Thursday. Feb. 9 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Source: Orange County Register

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers

Andrew Bynum continues to deal with pain due to a bone bruise in his left knee.
To be clear, the pain is not in his surgically-repaired right knee, and Bynum has been told that the pain from the bone bruise will eventually subside.

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Brandon Roy - G/F - Trail Blazers

Though Brandon Roy practiced on Tuesday, he has stepped back from his initial prediction that he would return this weekend, saying "Maybe I got a little ahead of myself there."
This comes one day after Nate McMillan said he "doesn't foresee" Roy coming back this weekend. This doesn't necessarily constitute a huge setback and Roy could still be back soon, but it's not likely to be happening before next week at the earliest. Feb. 9 - 3:59 p.m. ET
Source: The Oregonian

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Ron Artest - G/F - Lakers

A rumor has surfaced via ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher connecting Ron Artest to the Bobcats in exchange for Gerald Wallace or Stephen Jackson.
At this point a rumor is all it is, and while such a deal would be a very positive development for Artest's fantasy value, we're not running to add him in any fantasy leagues at the moment. Furthermore, we don't think it's necessary for fantasy owners of Wallace or Jackson to be panicking about a trade to L.A. (and the resulting diminished value) just yet. Feb. 9 - 4:43 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Mehmet Okur - F/C - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mehmet Okur (back) is expected to miss at least the next three weeks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>At this point, we don't even see much reason to hang onto Okur in deeper fantasy leagues. Given all his injury woes, the chances of him producing any notable numbers this season are becoming increasingly remote.
Feb. 9 - 3:18 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Brian T. Smith on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Goran Dragic (toe) was seen working on his jump shot Wednesday, but no word on if he's ready to return.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>
Feb. 9 - 3:11 p.m. ET

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Phoenix Suns on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Paul Pierce - G/F - Celtics </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Paul Pierce missed Wednesday's practice with an illness, but is expected to play against the Lakers on Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Pierce has had a cold-shooting start to February (just 2-for-14 on threes through four games), but he's still averaging 16.8 ppg this month and should be plenty focused against the Lakers.
Feb. 9 - 2:08 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Shaquille O'Neal - C - Celtics </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Shaquille O'Neal (Achilles) is not expected to play against the Lakers on Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>With Semih Erden also expected to miss Thursday's game, look for Kendrick Perkins to play significant minutes once again after logging a season-high 35 minutes on Monday with eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Feb. 9 - 1:59 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Nene Hilario - F/C - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Nene will return on Wednesday after missing one game due to an illness.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Even if he's slowed slightly, a matchup with the Warriors frontcourt is often a statistical bonanza.
Feb. 9 - 1:53 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Aaron J. Lopez on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Chauncey Billups - G - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Chauncey Billups (knee) will be a game-time decision on Wednesday, while Nene (illness) will return after a one-game absence.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Fantasy owners should go ahead and activate Nene in daily leagues, while a decision on Billups will have to wait until closer to tipoff. If Chauncey can't go, Ty Lawson obviously becomes an appealing play against Golden State.
Feb. 9 - 1:50 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Aaron J. Lopez on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Deron Williams - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Deron Williams (wrist) will play against the Bulls on Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams took a shot on his troublesome right wrist Monday night, but he's fine. In the three games since returning to action, Deron is averaging 20.3 points, 10.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds a night.
Feb. 9 - 1:02 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Jonathan Rinehart on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Paul Millsap - F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Paul Millsap (toe) will play in Wednesday's game against the Bulls.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>No surprise here. Millsap is earning a reputation as a real warrior and we'd expect a full complement of minutes tonight.
Feb. 9 - 1:00 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Jonathan Rinehart on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Al Thornton - F - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Al Thornton (finger) will not play against the Bucks Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Thornton has been playing sparingly of late anyway, averaging just 16.7 minutes per game over the last 10 contests. With Yi Jianlian (ankle) also out, Nick Young and Trevor Booker will see a bump in minutes at small forward.
Feb. 9 - 12:56 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Dirk Nowitzki - F - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Dirk Nowitzki (wrist) went through practice Tuesday and he is expected to play against the Kings Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Dirk's shooting wrist is a little sore, but we're not really worried. He's one of the toughest guys in the league and should be fine with some tape.
Feb. 9 - 12:07 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mo Williams (hip) is out Wednesday and doubtful for Friday's game against the Clippers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It's looking like Williams is going to rest through the All-Star break. Ramon Sessions is playing well and the Cavs may be testing him out as their point guard of the future. Williams should get back in action right after the break so he can be showcased for a trade. At that point, we would be looking at some kind of timeshare between Williams and Sessions.
Feb. 9 - 11:54 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Waiting for Next Year on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Eric Gordon - G - Clippers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Indications are that Eric Gordon (wrist) will not join the Clippers on their current marathon road trip.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Gordon met with doctors back in Los Angeles Tuesday and his status remains unchanged. The Clippers have not set a return date, but coach Vinny Del Negro said that Gordon will probably stay in L.A. and rehab instead of joining the team on the road. The Clippers have five more road games before the All-Star break, meaning we likely won't see Gordon until Feb. 22 at the earliest.
Feb. 9 - 11:20 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Los Angeles Times</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Joakim Noah - F/C - Bulls </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Joakim Noah (thumb) has started to participate in some contact drills.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Everything remains on track in the Noah rehab journey. He's not taking contact on his surgically repaired thumb yet, but is taking shots to the body while working on finishing. It would be a surprise if he isn't in the lineup on Feb. 23 and playing 30-plus minutes soon after that.
Feb. 9 - 11:15 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 9, 2011

Brandon Jennings - G - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Brandon Jennings (foot) is no longer on a minutes limit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>After missing 19 games with that broken foot, Jennings is easing his way back slowly. He's battling through soreness and hasn't topped 27 minutes yet. Still, it shouldn't take too much longer for Jennings to get his usual 34-36 minutes nightly.
Feb. 9 - 10:57 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 9, 2011

Al Horford - F/C - Hawks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Despite being a last-minute scratch Tuesday night, Al Horford did not have a setback with his back injury.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Horford's injury is still being called a bruise. He said he planned to play last night, but simply changed his mind after testing it out in warmups. With the Hawks off for the next three days, we fully expect to see him out there on Saturday.
Feb. 9 - 10:45 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>