NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/4/12)

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Russell Westbrook - G - Thunder </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Russell Westbrook's ankle was "clearly" swollen after he scored 25 points in his return on Saturday, but he didn't indicate that it was a problem.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Westbrook played with his ankle heavily taped beneath an ankle brace. He played well but wasn't as active as usual, failing to grab a rebound and settling for a career-high eight 3-point attempts. He should be fine for Monday's game vs. the Mavericks.
Mar. 4 - 9:34 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Oklahoman</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Stephen Jackson still isn't traveling with the Bucks because of soreness in his right hamstring.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jackson has missed six consecutive games and is basically waiting to see if the Bucks can find a way to trade him. He might be worth stashing through the March 15 deadline, in case it happens -- if he's stuck in Milwaukee, his value will be crushed under Scott Skiles' heel.
Mar. 4 - 9:33 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Yahoo! Sports</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Manu Ginobili - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Manu Ginobili (oblique) is a game-time decision on Sunday, but "signs point to him playing."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">According to Spurs writer Jeff McDonald, "By all accounts, Manu looked good in rigorous 5-on-5 work [on Saturday]."
Mar. 4 - 10:53 a.m. ET
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HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Michael Beasley - F - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Michael Beasley didn't leave the bench in the second half of Saturday's win in Portland, finishing with six points and one rebound in 13 minutes.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Beasley got trounced by Gerald Wallace during his time on the court, and with Derrick Williams playing well there was no incentive for Rick Adelman to put Beas back out there.
Mar. 4 - 10:23 a.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<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 admits that his strained right calf is still bothersome.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">D-Will sustained the injury during the All-Star game and in the two games since he's averaging just 12.0 points on 29 percent shooting. His left foot has also been sore but he's playing through the injuries and neither sounds overly serious, so we expect him to ramp up in the coming week. Williams vowed to be more aggressive offensively, which is exactly what Avery Johnson wants.
Mar. 4 - 10:28 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Newark Star-Ledger</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kris Humphries - F - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kris Humphries is still struggling with injuries to his left leg and calf, and he couldn't rule out missing a game during the Nets' upcoming stretch of four games in five nights.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"It’s one of those things where this season is condensed," said Humphries, "and things you might [normally] be able to play through, sometimes you have to take time off with, because of how many games there are. But I’m not looking to do that, I’m looking to play [Sunday vs. Charlotte]." New Jersey's busy stretch begins on Tuesday.
Mar. 4 - 10:35 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Newark Star-Ledger</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ray Allen - G - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ray Allen will return from his recent illness vs. the Knicks on Sunday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Mickael Pietrus will move back to a reserve role as the Celtics attempt to improve to 4-0 after the All-Star break. Allen is averaging 14.8 points and 2.3 threes per game this season.
Mar. 4 - 11:59 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Zach Randolph - F/C - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Zach Randolph (MCL surgery) has been practicing recently but "may not be ready by the original target date next Wednesday at Golden State."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Grizzlies are going to take it nice and slow with Z-Bo, who would only say "I’ll be back when I’m back." He needs to be grabbed off waiver wires, but we can't expect a reprise of last year's numbers given his knee injury and subsequent conditioning, the rise of Marc Gasol, and the presence of a healthy Rudy Gay.
Mar. 4 - 12:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Danilo Gallinari - F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Danilo Gallinari (ankle) will not play on Sunday but confirmed that he's targeting Monday for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gallo was playing at a very high level prior to his injury, averaging 17.0 points and 1.4 threes per game.
Mar. 4 - 12:39 p.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Benjamin Hochman on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nene Hilario - F/C - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">George Karl does not expect Nene to return from his calf injury on Sunday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nene practiced on Saturday and was hoping to play vs. the Spurs, but obviously he's not 100 percent healthy.
Mar. 4 - 12:41 p.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Benjamin Hochman on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 4, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Chris Bosh - F/C - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Chris Bosh (personal) did not join the Heat in time for Sunday's game.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bosh attended his grandmother's funeral on Saturday. The team expects him to play Tuesday vs. the Nets.
Mar. 4 - 1:57 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 · Mar 4, 2012

<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">Stephen Curry (foot) will not play on Sunday against the Raptors.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Curry tried to test his foot prior to Sunday's game, but apparently it still just isn't right. Dominic McGuire will get another start in Curry's absence.
Mar. 4 - 5:03 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Marcus Thompson on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/5/12)

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Danilo Gallinari - F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Danilo Gallinari (ankle) is listed as a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Kings.</td></tr><tr><td>

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Mar. 5 - 5:17 p.m. ET</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Brook Lopez - C - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Brook Lopez (foot/ankle) will miss three weeks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">X-rays on Lopez's right ankle came back negative, but this is at least a severe sprain. Remember that this is the same foot that he fractured in the preseason. Lopez will be put in a boot as a precaution and with the Nets at 12-26, it's reasonable to think his season is now in jeopardy. Even if he is cleared to play in three weeks, there will only be 15 games left in the season. This could also throw a wrench into any possible Dwight Howard trades the Nets were trying to put together.
Mar. 5 - 3:58 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Ken Berger on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tyson Chandler - C - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tyson Chandler (wrist) says he will keep playing through pain for the remainder of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler had an MRI on his left wrist three days ago. He said there's a lot wrong, but doesn't think he'll need offseason surgery. He'll just continue to play with a pad on the joint. Chandler's production has not been hindered over the last five games as he's averaged 10.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting 60.0 percent from the field. He's also played in every game this season.
Mar. 5 - 2:07 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Al Iannazzone on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td> Zach Randolph - F/C - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Zach Randolph (knee) participated in a full-contact scrimmage at practice Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There's no official target date yet, but Randolph appears reasonably close. The Memphis Commercial Appeal sees the scrimmage participation as a "good sign" that he could return this week. However, Randolph says a return to a real game is not imminent. Once active, he'll quickly take the starting power forward job back from Marreese Speights despite missing 33 straight games.
Mar. 5 - 1:55 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 · Mar 5, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ben Gordon (ankle) says he'll play against the Lakers Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon rolled his ankle against the Grizzlies on Saturday but returned to the game. The bigger concern for owners is that he hasn't topped 25 minutes in any of the last seven games.
Mar. 5 - 1:31 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 · Mar 5, 2012

<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) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Johnson has missed four of the last five games and also had the All-Star break to rest. It's concerning that his tendinitis still hasn't calmed down. With Willie Green (back) and Tracy McGrady (knee) hobbled, Kirk Hinrich projects as the starting shooting guard for as long as Johnson is out.
Mar. 5 - 1:12 p.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 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>C.J. Watson - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">C.J. Watson (ankle) was spotted limping badly in the locker room following Sunday's win over the Sixers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Watson said he felt a pop in his left ankle when he rolled it in the second quarter, but still came back in the game and played all but 21 seconds of the fourth quarter. He's questionable for Monday's game against the Pacers. Richard Hamilton could see a few extra minutes if Watson sits.
Mar. 5 - 12:27 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Manu Ginobili - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Manu Ginobili (oblique) confirmed that he came out of Sunday's game healthy.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ginobili logged 23 minutes Sunday night after missing the previous five games. "I think I'm better than when I came back previously," he said. "We'll see." The Spurs have just two games this week and don't play again until Wednesday.
Mar. 5 - 11:59 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Antonio Express-News</td></tr></tbody></table>