NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/12/12)

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Love - F/C - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Love admitted his ailing back is still sore but said he will play in Monday's game against the Suns.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Love left the arena after shootaround with ice bags strapped to his back. Still, he logged 41 minutes on Saturday and should be able to gut it out for a similar workload Monday. The Wolves have two full days off up next.
Mar. 12 - 4:05 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Martin - G - Rockets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Martin (shoulder) will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Thunder.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Martin said his shoulder has been an issue for a month, but he aggravated it on a screen Sunday. Considering Martin hasn't topped seven points or 19 minutes in any of the last three games, the Rockets may want to give him a game off to possibly get closer to 100 percent. Chase Budinger and Courtney Lee are candidates to pick up minutes.
Mar. 12 - 4:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rudy Gay - F - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rudy Gay has officially been diagnosed with a concussion.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gay's concussion is being called "mild and he was able to finish out Sunday's game. He'll now have to pass the NBA's concussion protocols and be symptom-free before being cleared to play. We can only consider Gay questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Lakers. Quincy Pondexter and O.J. Mayo are candidates for extra minutes if Gay sits.
Mar. 12 - 4:22 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[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">Anderson Varejao (wrist) will be reevaluated by team doctors next week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's confirmation that Varejao isn't close to the court yet. He'll need to build up significantly more strength in his fractured wrist before getting cleared for contact. A return to a full practice at some point next week looks like a best-case scenario.
Mar. 12 - 3:12 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Al Jefferson - F/C - Jazz </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Jefferson is questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons due to a family matter.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jefferson did not participate in the morning shootaround and we likely won't know his official status until around 8 p.m. ET. If he can't go, Derrick Favors will get the nod at center. Favors has averaged 10.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in his six starts this season.
Mar. 12 - 1:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Brian Smith on Twitter</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) is still getting more tests done and consulting with different doctors.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Hornets have provided no details on the extent of Okafor's injury, but coach Monty Williams has called it "strange." The fact that Okafor is still getting tests suggests that doctors don't know exactly what's wrong and Williams seems resigned to not having his starting center indefinitely. Gustavo Ayon and trade candidate Chris Kaman are expected to start up front again Monday.
Mar. 12 - 12:50 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Neworleanshornetsblog.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Joakim Noah - F/C - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Joakim Noah (illness) will play in Monday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After getting Saturday and Sunday off, Noah should be ready for a full complement of minutes. Since the All-Star break, he's averaging 11.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 54.8 percent from the field.
Mar. 12 - 12:31 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luol Deng - F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luol Deng (wrist) will not play in Monday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Deng will rest his troublesome left (non-shooting) wrist for the second straight game. He's considered questionable for Wednesday's showdown with the Heat. With Richard Hamilton (shoulder) also out, Kyle Korver is a good bet for 30-plus minutes. In five starts this season, Korver has averaged 15.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 3-pointers per game.
Mar. 12 - 12:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Eric Gordon - G - Hornets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Hornets are hoping to get Eric Gordon (knee) back by the end of the month.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Take this with a big grain of salt. The Hornets have provided no concrete updates on Gordon's rehab, he's had multiple knee issues and they are 10-31. Gordon certainly isn't a lock to play again this year.
Mar. 12 - 11:35 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</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 confirmed that his right quad strain feels "fine" and that he will play in Monday's game against the Wizards.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">By sitting out Saturday's game against the Clippers, Parker netted himself four full days off. His return will send Gary Neal back to the bench.
Mar. 12 - 11:25 a.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>Stephen Curry - G - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Warriors believe that Steph Curry's recurring foot/ankle injuries are "freak twists and tweaks."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Coach Mark Jackson admitted that the team would consider shutting Curry down if they thought these constant aggravations were related. Instead, they're allowing their point guard to hobble around out there for limited minutes. Curry hasn't topped 24 minutes since Feb. 20 and is very questionable for Tuesday's game against the Kings.
Mar. 12 - 11:12 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Francisco Chronicle</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Deron Williams - G - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Deron Williams (calf) will not play in Monday's game against the Bucks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's Williams' second straight game out after aggravating his calf injury during Friday's win over the Bobcats. He's simply listed as day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's game against the Raptors. Backup Jordan Farmar has averaged 15.7 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 3-pointers per night in three starts this season.
Mar. 12 - 10:37 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy"></td></tr><tr><td><table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Pau Gasol - F/C - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Lakers are unwilling to trade Pau Gasol for Rajon Rondo, according to the Los Angeles Times.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The two sides reportedly talked last week, but a deal was never close. A blockbuster trade between the Lakers and Celtics is extremely unlikely at this point. This also confirms that prying Gasol from L.A. is going to be very difficult. The most likely scenario is both Gasol and Rondo sticking with their teams through Thursday's deadline.
Mar. 12 - 10:26 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Dwight Howard - C - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Trade discussions between the Magic and Bulls are all but dead because of Dwight Howard's reluctance to sign a long-term deal in Chicago, according to CBS' Ken Berger.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Magic reportedly want to "seriously engage" the Bulls in talks because they can offer Omer Asik, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and a first-round pick. But without a long-term commitment from Howard, the Bulls won't even talk. Outside of selfish reasons, it's unclear why Howard wouldn't want to team with last year's MVP, Derrick Rose.
Mar. 12 - 10:21 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CBSsports.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Joe Johnson - G/F - Hawks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Joe Johnson (knee) says there are no plans to limit his minutes or games going forward.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Johnson expects to play on back-to-backs and came out of Sunday's 35-minute outing feeling good. "The strength is about 85-90 percent," he said. "It's way better than I was two weeks ago."
Mar. 12 - 9:31 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Devin Harris - G - Jazz </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Devin Harris (flu) is expected to start in Monday's game against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Harris' stomach virus will only cost him one game. He should be fine for his usual 23-28 minutes Monday depending on game flow.
Mar. 12 - 5:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Salt Lake Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Antawn Jamison - F - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Antawn Jamison is not expecting to be traded by Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jamison has a $15 million expiring contract and the Cavs are in the market for a first-round pick in the this year's draft. But they are also just one game out of the East's final playoff spot and finding matching salaries for Jamison will be difficult. As of now, there haven't been many concrete rumors involving Jamison despite his appeal to contenders as a legit stretch-four.
Mar. 12 - 6:11 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Akron Beacon-Journal</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Warriors, Magic and Hornets are discussing a three-team deal that would send Monta Ellis to Orlando, a source tells Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is confirmation of an earlier report from Real GM. It's worth noting that the major media outlets normally responsible for breaking news aren't buying this rumor. The proposed deal would send Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Dorell Wright out of Golden State while Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, Hedo Turkoglu and Quentin Richardson would be leaving Orlando. The Hornets would presumably be moving Chris Kaman among others. Although it's far-fetched, this is confirmation that the Magic seemingly remain "buyers" as Thursday's deadline approaches.
Mar. 12 - 6:50 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Brandon Jennings - G - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Bucks have made Brandon Jennings available "for the right price," sources tell SI.com.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">At this time of year, just about everyone is available for the price. The Bucks could never get equal value for a 22-year-old point guard that is under club control through 2013-14. The Bucks are much more likely to be intrigued by offers for oft-injured center Andrew Bogut.
Mar. 12 - 6:33 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: SI.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Al Jefferson - F/C - Jazz </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Jefferson (personal) will play on Monday against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Mar. 12 - 7:33 p.m. ET</td></tr></tbody></table>