NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/15/11)

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Devin Harris - G - Jazz

Devin Harris will be a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Timberwolves due to a hamstring injury suffered on Monday.
Harris is indicating he'll play, but we aren't likely to know for sure until Wednesday afternoon. Mar. 15 - 4:59 p.m. ET
Source: Salt Lake Tribune

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Paul Millsap - F - Jazz

Paul Millsap was expected to practice on Tuesday and will be a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
He's missed four straight and although it's great news that there's a chance he'll play tomorrow, it's not guaranteed. Mar. 15 - 4:55 p.m. ET
Source: Salt Lake Tribune

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Luis Scola - F/C - Rockets

Luis Scola has still not been cleared to practice and remains day-to-day with his knee injury.
That leaves his status for Wednesday against Charlotte in serious doubt. Keep him benched until we get a more positive update. Mar. 15 - 3:05 p.m. ET
Source: Jason Friedman on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Joe Johnson - G/F - Hawks

Joe Johnson suffered a "mishap" off the court and came down with an infection above his ear. He'll wear a headband to protect the injury in tonight's start at small forward.
"Just a little mishap. Nothing major," he said. "I will be all right." While it could be fun to speculate how he suffered the injury, we will be happy is he's more effective at the 3 than he has been at the two recently. Mar. 15 - 2:58 p.m. ET
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Gerald Wallace - F - Trail Blazers

Gerald Wallace has been moved into the Blazers' starting five in place of Marcus Camby.
This has little to do with Camby's knee woes and it appears to be permanent. The Blazers have been playing their best ball with Wallace at the four and LaMarcus Aldridge at the five, so that is how they will roll. Camby figures to get about 20 minutes off the bench while Wallace is now looking at 33-35 minutes nightly. Mar. 15 - 1:58 p.m. ET
Source: Jason Quick on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Stephen Jackson got kneed in the thigh on Sunday but was fine Tuesday and is ready to play against the Rockets Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Jackson struggled pretty badly Sunday but the good news is that he did not tweak his troublesome hamstring. We'd expect some big lines going forward now that Captain Jack is relatively healthy and the Bobcats are fighting for a playoff berth.
Mar. 15 - 1:53 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Joel Przybilla - C - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Joel Przybilla (knee) tried to practice Tuesday but felt more pain.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Beat writer Mike Cranston notes that Przybilla does not look like he's close to playing. It's more minutes for Tyrus Thomas, who has four blocks in his last two games.
Mar. 15 - 1:26 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Nick Young - G/F - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Flip Saunders admitted that Nick Young's knee soreness is a cause for major concern.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Young is really struggling and it shows in his jump shot. The Washington Post observes that he is dragging his left leg at times. "He's been banged up, in his legs. Really since the all-star break," Saunders said. Owners should be aware that Young could shut it down early this season.
Mar. 15 - 1:03 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Andray Blatche - F/C - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andray Blatche (knee), Rashard Lewis (knee) and Josh Howard (knee) are all expected to miss Tuesday's game against the Bulls.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>We're expecting Lewis and Howard to eventually shut it down, while details have been scant about Blatche's injury. As a younger player with a future in Washington, we'd expect Blatche to be back at some point. For now, just consider him day-to-day. The Wizards lineup tonight is going to be very messy, but we know it will include Trevor Booker and could feature Jordan Crawford.
Mar. 15 - 12:58 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Josh Howard - G/F - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Josh Howard (knee) lasted just one half Monday before realizing he couldn't go.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Howard's surgically-repaired left knee continues to give him problems. At this point, he'd be better off shutting it down. He's on a minutes limit anyways, even when he plays. "I was running out there with a limp and thatâ€™s not a good thing," Howard said after Monday's game.
Mar. 15 - 12:52 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Kendrick Perkins - C - Thunder </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Scott Brooks confirmed that Kendrick Perkins is not on a minutes restriction as he comes back from his knee sprain.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Perkins played only 20 minutes Monday, but that was because the Thunder were up by 25 after three quarters. No Thunder starter even played in the final frame. We'd expect Perkins to hover around 30 minutes most nights while being an asset in blocks and boards.
Mar. 15 - 12:40 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Joakim Noah missed shootaround due to an illness and is listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Wizards.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Players often miss shootarounds with minor colds and are able to play later that night, but we don't have any details on exactly what is ailing Noah. If he can't go, dual backups Taj Gibson and Kurt Thomas will start up front. We should know Noah's official status by 7:30 p.m. ET or so.
Mar. 15 - 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 · Mar 15, 2011

Amir Johnson - F - Raptors </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Amir Johnson tweaked his previously healthy ankle in practice Tuesday and will not travel for Wednesday's game in Detroit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Johnson was just getting over a left ankle sprain sustained last Wednesday when he rolled the right ankle. There is no word yet on the severity. Inconsistent yet impressive rookie Ed Davis will likely start but his minutes may be capped by rebounding machine Reggie Evans.
Mar. 15 - 12:29 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mark Masters on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Carlos Boozer - F - Bulls </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Carlos Boozer (ankle) sat out shootaround and will not play against the Wizards Tuesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>No surprise here. Boozer has appeared to be targeting Thursday's game against the Nets all along and is tentatively still on that track. Look for Kurt Thomas to start and push for 30 minutes again tonight.
Mar. 15 - 12:20 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 · Mar 15, 2011

Drew Gooden - F/C - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Drew Gooden (foot) says he is targeting March 23 for his return.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The Bucks are somehow still in the mix for a playoff berth despite a 26-39 record. Gooden has only played in five games since Dec. 21, so he'll need plenty of time to get in game shape. He won't threaten the Bucks' starting five.
Mar. 15 - 12:09 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Nene confirmed that he wants to be a Nugget "for now and forever."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Nene can exercise an early termination option in his contract and become a free agent this summer. And considering how well he has played this season, it's going to make financial sense to do so. Nene is one of the most respected yet unheralded stars in the league.
Mar. 15 - 12:05 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Hoopsworld.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Al Horford (ankle) will play against the Bucks Tuesday, as expected.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Horford ends up missing just one game with his latest sprain. He has logged 40 or more minutes in five of his last six games and we'd expect him to push that number again. Zaza Pachulia heads back to the bench.
Mar. 15 - 11:44 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Michael Cunningham on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Jeff Teague - G - Hawks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Jeff Teague and Al Horford (ankle) are both starting for the Hawks in Tuesday's game against the Bucks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Teague gets another chance after he led the Hawks to a win as a starter on Saturday night. With sizable talent but a spotty history as a starter, he is a boom-or-bust kind of fantasy play. Kirk Hinrich gets a downgrade as he will have the ball less and Marvin Williams is an extremely weak play as usual. If Teague can sustain quality play, this starting five has a good chance to stick for the rest of the season.
Mar. 15 - 11:39 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Michael Cunningham on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

Ricky Rubio - G - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Ricky Rubio hinted that he does not plan on leaving Barcelona and coming to the NBA next season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>With a potential lockout looming and a buyout necessary to leave Spain, signs point toward Rubio spurning the Timberwolves again. He's still only 20 years old, but it's getting to be an embarrassing situation for Minnesota. Rubio has even hinted that he doesn't want to play for the Wolves.
Mar. 15 - 11:38 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Probasketballtalk on NBCSports.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 15, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Luke Ridnour (personal) is expected to rejoin the team in time for Wednesday's game against the Jazz.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Ridnour missed practice Monday so he could return home to be with his wife and two newborn daughters. It's a situation that the starting point guard has been dealing with for a couple months now and the Wolves have been very understanding. His playing time Wednesday should not be affected.
Mar. 15 - 11:27 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>