NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/28/11)

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Manu Ginobili - G - Spurs

Manu Ginobili (left quad bruise) has been declared out for Monday night's game against the Trail Blazers.
This doesn't come as a surprise. There's no word yet on his status for later this week but we wouldn't be shocked if he misses a few more games. Spurs coach Greg Popovich has been looking for ways to get his starters rest and this might be all the excuse he needs. Mar. 28 - 3:28 p.m. ET
Source: San Antonio Spurs on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Shawn Marion - F - Mavericks

Shawn Marion has continued playing despite having a badly dislocated left pinky finger.
The pictures of the finger are a bit stomach churning but he insists that it doesn't affect his ball control or shot. Over the course of his career the finger has continued to shift. As long as he still has full control then we can assume that it's a lot better than it looks. Mar. 28 - 3:37 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Taj Gibson - F - Bulls

Taj Gibson said that he now wears a larger shoe size due to all of the injuries that he has had to his foot.
Gibson's normal shoe size is a 15 1/2 but a larger shoe was needed after swelling from his most recent toe injury. Now he has a size 18 and gets his foot taped to fill in the gap. The added room has made it more difficult for him to find traction and change directions quickly aside from being incredibly annoying. Mar. 28 - 3:57 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Carmelo Anthony - F - Knicks

Carmelo Anthony declared that Monday's game against Orlando is a "must win".
The Knicks are watching the season slip away and the natives are restless in New York. Anthony in particular was supposed to be the piece the team needed to make them competative with the powerhouses in the Eastern Conference. Don't be surprised if Anthony tries to take over the game down the stretch. Mar. 28 - 4:13 p.m. ET

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Arron Afflalo - G - Nuggets

Aaron Afflalo practiced Monday and is one step from returning from a hamstring injury but remains questionable for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Afflalo gave a positive report on the hamstring and insists it's getting better. He's missed six games during two separate stretches with this hamstring issue. Even if he does return Wednesday a cautious approach is best. Mar. 28 - 3:22 p.m. ET
Source: Chris Dempsey on Twitter

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Ricky Rubio - G - Timberwolves

According to the Pioneer Press, Ricky Rubio's family has dropped hints that he would still be interested in playing for the Timberwolves.
If there is no NBA season next year he is expected to continue playing for FC Barcelona. Don't worry. Next month I'm sure we'll hear that Minnesota isn't even on his radar. Mar. 28 - 3:05 p.m. ET
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Deron Williams (wrist) has been declared out for Tuesday but is officially listed as day-to-day.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams went through the non-contact portion of practice Monday and said his strained right wrist is "feeling good right now." He plans on giving it a go Wednesday, although coach Avery Johnson didn't sound so sure. Regardless, this could be Williams' last hurrah for the season. If he encounters any kind of pain or difficulty the Nets are likely to shelve him the rest of the way.
Mar. 28 - 2:06 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Baron Davis - G - Cavaliers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Baron Davis said that he is "still a couple games away" from being able to start and play starter's minutes.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Coach Byron Scott has already made it clear that the role is Davis' when he wants it. However, Davis said that he likes coming off the bench for now. Therefore, we can only project an even timeshare between Davis and Ramon Sessions over the next couple games. The upside on both is capped, but Davis is the one playing better at the moment.
Mar. 28 - 1:45 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mary Schmitt Boyer on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Devin Harris - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Devin Harris (hamstring) will not play in Monday's game against Washington.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Harris is meeting with doctors on Monday. He is hoping to get back later this week but it will depend greatly on the report. Earl Watson will likely see the start again in his place, though Ronnie Price saw the lionshare of minutes in Saturday's game. Who knows who will get the upper hand between the two of them?
Mar. 28 - 12:40 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Utah Jazz on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Tracy McGrady - G/F - Pistons </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tracy McGrady (back) and Chris Wilcox (knee) were both participants in team practice on Monday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Their next game is Wednesday and both stand a good chance to play though neither are particularly appealing options.
Mar. 28 - 12:29 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Chris Iott on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Ben Gordon - G - Pistons </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Ben Gordon was absent from team practice on Monday due to a bad migraine.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The rumor is he tried to make sense of the Pistons' rotation. Detroit isn't scheduled to play until Wednesday which should give him plenty of time to clear his head.
Mar. 28 - 12:25 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Chris Iott on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Mike Dunleavy - G/F - Pacers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mike Dunleavy has been given a green light to play by team doctors but is still expected to sit out Monday's game against the Celtics.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It's possible that he could see action but he hasn't had a chance to practice. He's missed 19 games with the injury and may need a few games before he gets back in the groove. Keep an eye on him this week and see how he does once he returns.
Mar. 28 - 12:03 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Tony Battie - F/C - 76ers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tony Battie is officially a game time decision on Monday after a nasty bout of the flu.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>I'm sure the team will survive without him. He's averaged less than ten minutes a game in March so his absence shouldn't have much of an impact on the rotation if he misses.
Mar. 28 - 11:52 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Andre Iguodala - G/F - 76ers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andre Iguodala (knee) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the Bulls.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Knee tendinitis has been plaguing him but the team despirately needs his services. Don't be surprised if his stats continue to be a bit low for him but expect him to continue to tough it out.
Mar. 28 - 11:47 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

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

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Stephen Jackson was absent from the team shootaround due to an illness on Monday, but Paul Silas expects him to play tonight.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The illness is a minor concern compared to his troublesome hamstring, but it does sound like Jackson is likely to keep playing as long as the Bobcats have a shot at the playoffs, or until he aggravates the injury. And keep in mind he's got 15 technicals, meaning one more will earn him a one-game suspension.
Mar. 28 - 11:10 a.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 28, 2011

Udonis Haslem - F/C - Heat </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Udonis Haslem (foot) has been eager to get back into the rotation with the Heat but still remains a long way from coming back.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Haslem was hoping to join his team by late March but the recovery process has been slower than expected. At this point it's looking like he will be iffy to get back on the floor in time for the playoffs.
Mar. 28 - 10:25 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Knicks president Donnie Walsh believes that Amare Stoudemire has hit a wall at this stage in the season in large part due to a lack of help in the front court.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"What I see is I still got to get players to put around him to help him," Walsh said. The Melo trade hasn't turned the Knicks into the powerhouse they envisioned and the team's scrambling for reasons. Meanwhile, fantasy owners have to hope that Stoudemire can muster up the energy to finish the season strong.
Mar. 28 - 9:49 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Brandon Roy - G/F - Trail Blazers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>The Trail Blazers face the Spurs on Monday but may be without Brandon Roy who is listed as doubtful after suffering a lower back strain in Sunday's game against the Thunder.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Roy suffered the injury after running into Serge Ibaka at the end of the third quarter on Sunday. He did not play in the fourth quarter and finished the game with only four points. Roy's been a wounded warrior all season and is simply too injured to make any significant contributions.
Mar. 28 - 8:26 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Elton Brand - F/C - 76ers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Sixers coach Doug Collins admitted that Elton Brand's injured hand may be hindering his play.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"It looked like he was fumbling the ball a little bit today," Collins said. "His hands are bashed up." Brand also added, "It is definitely a problem...It is nothing that will stop me from playing." He's played through it thus far and while his stats are a little low for him, they aren't unreasonable. Keep playing him if you have him.
Mar. 28 - 8:12 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Mar 28, 2011

Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kobe Bryant continues to play through any and all injuries including his lingering ankle sprain.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bryant confessed that his ankle is still bothering him but he obviously played through it and it didn't show in the stat board. He finished Sunday's game with an impressive 30 points, on 11-of-25 shooting with a 3-pointer, three rebounds, five assists, two steals and no turnovers.
Mar. 28 - 7:55 a.m. ET</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>