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

[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) did not practice Thursday and there is still no timetable for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Martin still hasn't practiced or played since March 11. Complicating matters is the fact that the damage is on his shooting side and he's not the most durable guy at 6'7/185. Backup Courtney Lee will continue to be a strong plug-n-play for the foreseeable future. He's averaging a healthy 13.6 points, 1.7 3-pointers and 1.4 steals in his 11 starts.
Mar. 29 - 2:51 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jonathan Feigen on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Amare Stoudemire - F/C - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Amare Stoudemire may need offseason back surgery, sources tell the New York Post.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire is putting off the surgery for now in an effort to be ready for the playoffs. But in order to truly fix the bulging disk, he might need to go under the knife.
Mar. 29 - 2:16 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New York Post</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>LeBron James - F - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">LeBron James (finger) has been fully cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Mavericks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">James dislocated his left ring finger on Monday and practiced with a splint on Wednesday. But he's been given the go-ahead by doctors and has been told the ailment can't get worse by playing on it. Considering the damage is on LeBron's non-shooting hand, we wouldn't expect him to be limited at all Thursday night.
Mar. 29 - 2:11 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Coach Mike Brown said that Andrew Bynum was "great" in Wednesday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is noteworthy because Bynum was benched on Tuesday for taking an ill-advised 3-pointer and lacking defensive effort. We'd expect that to be water under the bridge come Thursday night's home showdown with Thunder. Barring another silly 3-point attempt, we'd expect a full complement of minutes for Bynum.
Mar. 29 - 2:09 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>LaMarcus Aldridge - F/C - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is the first we've heard of Aldridge battling a hip ailment, but a precautionary MRI came back negative and it sounds like the big man is just dealing with some wear and tear. The hip issue hasn't impacted his play of late, as he's averaging 19.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks on 52.4 percent shooting in March.
Mar. 29 - 1:52 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Trail Blazers PR on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Tyrus Thomas (elbow) did not practice again on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">He should be considered extremely questionable to play on Friday. He hasn't practiced in two days and did not play on Wednesday due to the injury. D.J. White started in Thomas' place and had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Mar. 29 - 1:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Rick Bonnell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<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 (ankle) traveled with the Celtics to Minnesota in preparation for the game on Friday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After going through shootaround and pre-game warmups Wednesday, Allen was held out of action for the fourth straight night. The fact that he's still flying with the team indicates that he's close to a return, and it certainly wouldn't be surprising to see him return against the Timberwolves. If he can't play, Avery Bradley would once again start in his place. Officially, Allen is a game-time call for Friday.
Mar. 29 - 1:15 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Sean Grande on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andre Iguodala - G/F - 76ers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andre Iguodala (knee) practiced on Thursday and is officially a game-time decision for Friday's game against the Wizards.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">If Iguodala can't play, Jodie Meeks would likely get another start in his place. Evan Turner has also been more effective from a fantasy standpoint without Iguodala in the lineup, but we won't get official word on Iguodala's availability until some point on Friday. Owners will need to check back for an update before that time.
Mar. 29 - 12:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Michael Preston on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ersan Ilyasova - F - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ersan Ilyasova (back) returned to practice on Thursday and is expected to start Friday's game against the Cavs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ilyasova missed Milwaukee's last game with the issue, but it's not serious. Ilyasova had just two points against the Knicks on Monday, and it's possible his back was to blame for a rather lackluster performance. He's averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds since the All-Star break. Ekpe Udoh will head back to the bench.
Mar. 29 - 12:46 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Bucks PR on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Raymond Felton - G - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Raymond Felton (personal) is back with the Trail Blazers and will start against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Felton was with his mother in South Carolina, but he's now returned to the team and will resume his starting role, sending Nolan Smith back to the bench. He's had his best month of the season in March with averages of 12.7 points, 5.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 30 minutes per game.
Mar. 29 - 12:10 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Chris Haynes 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) said that he'll "probably have another CT scan on Thursday."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Varejao is targeting a return to practice in the first or second week of April, leaving him little time to make an impact in the regular season.
Mar. 29 - 9:37 a.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: News-Herald</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Wesley Matthews - G/F - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Wesley Matthews is playing through a left hip injury, a sore left shoulder and a sore left Achilles' tendon.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Matthews is looking to beat Andre Miller's streak of consecutive games played and doesn't like to make a big deal about his injuries. His play hasn't suffered, as Matthews has been rolling since being re-inserted into the starting lineup. He's hit 17 treys over his last five games and is playing between 34-39 minutes consistently.
Mar. 29 - 8:53 a.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nene (back) is apparently ready to go for Thursday's game against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nene was not mentioned in the pregame injury reports, so we're assuming he's ready to rock. He logged 27 minutes on Monday, recording eight points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Mar. 29 - 6:27 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/2/12)

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nene (plantar fasciitis) will not play in Monday's game against the Bucks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nene has had calf, Achilles and plantar fasciitis issues this season. He admitted Sunday that his heel is still in a lot of pain. With Trevor Booker (plantar fasciitis) also out, impressive Frenchman Kevin Seraphin will be the primary post player for the Wizards Monday. Seraphin has averaged 11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in his seven starts this season.
Apr. 2 - 5:38 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jeremy Lin - G - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Jeremy Lin announced on his Facebook page that he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Knicks have previously said that Lin will be out roughly six weeks, meaning he wouldn't be back until the second round of the playoffs. A third-party doctor that hasn't examined Lin has suggested that it's possible he could be back sooner than that if a low level of arthritis is found in the knee. Regardless, we wouldn't expect to see Lin again in the regular season, locking Baron Davis in as the starter.
Apr. 2 - 5:29 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New York Post</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrew Bynum's ankle sprain was not considered serious enough for an MRI.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bynum came in for treatment on his "moderately" sprained left ankle Monday and is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Nets. As of Sunday night, Bynum did not require a boot or crutches. Coach Mike Brown does not think the injury is "long-term." We'll know more after Tuesday morning's shootaround.
Apr. 2 - 4:40 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter</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">Dwight Howard (back) is making the trip to Detroit for Tuesday's game against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The fact that Howard is on the team flight for a one-game road trip is a sign he intends to play Tuesday. He was a true game-time call on Sunday and the injury was never considered severe. Officially, the Magic have listed Howard as day-to-day and will provide another update after the Tuesday morning shootaround.
Apr. 2 - 2:07 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Brian Schmitz on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kyrie Irving - G - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Irving stayed after practice to get a ton of shots up. His sprained right (shooting) shoulder clearly isn't bothering too much. Still, the Cavs don't want to risk anything with their franchise player. Coach Byron Scott will have the final call on if Irving plays Tuesday. Irving did not take part in any contact drills Monday.
Apr. 2 - 1:53 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Corey Maggette - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Corey Maggette (Achilles) will be out at least one week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The oft-injured Maggette strained his right Achilles' tendon on Friday night and sat out on Saturday. He's one of the game's slower healers, so we can't take this one-week timetable as gospel. Backup small forward Reggie Williams has averaged 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 3-pointers in his 11 starts this season. Coach Paul Silas has hinted that Williams could very well start the rest of the way.
Apr. 2 - 1:17 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) did not practice Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">While Ben Gordon (groin) is expected to play Tuesday, Stuckey is not. It would be his third straight game sidelined. With the Pistons set for two back-to-backs on Thursday/Friday and Sunday/Monday, there won't be a soft landing spot for Stuckey to get back in the lineup.
Apr. 2 - 12:55 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Keith Langlois on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>