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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<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 doctors later this week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Varejao fractured his right (shooting) wrist on Feb. 10 and was slapped with a 4-6 week timetable. It's clear he's not going to be back right at the one-month mark, but beyond that his status is unknown. What we do know is that once cleared, Varejao will quickly regain his starting job and 30-32 minute role. Semih Erden and Ryan Hollins have flopped as starting centers.
Mar. 5 - 11:47 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Al Horford (pectoral surgery) will be reevaluated in a month.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Horford has begun his rehab, but isn't close to playing in an NBA game. He's hoping to get cleared for shooting and upper-body strength work after that reevaluation. In the meantime, Horford is focused on mere cardio. A best-case scenario for his return looks like mid-April, but the playoffs is a more realistic target date.
Mar. 5 - 11:20 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<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">Coach Nate McMillan confirmed that Raymond Felton will start Monday's game against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Jamal Crawford is 1-4 as the Blazers' starting point guard, so McMillan is squashing that experiment. Now we'll see if Felton's stint on the bench will snap him out of a season-long slump. In 32 starts earlier this year, Felton averaged just 10.0 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from the field. He did, however, log 32.4 minutes per game. McMillan insists this move isn't a showcase for the March 15 trade deadline.
Mar. 5 - 10:55 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrea Bargnani (calf) is getting "closer," according to coach Dwane Casey.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bargnani is getting on-court work in, but there is no official target date yet. Casey suggested that Bargnani will need a full practice under his belt before getting activated. The first chance for that will be Tuesday. With the Raptors at 12-25, there's no reason for the former No. 1 overall pick to rush.
Mar. 5 - 10:33 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Camby (chin) practiced Sunday and is expected to play against the Hornets Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Camby needed eight stitches in his chin on Saturday, but avoided any other serious issues. The bigger concern for owners is Camby's dwindling minutes and production. Over the last 10 games, he's averaging just 5.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks while playing 20.8 minutes.
Mar. 5 - 9:45 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 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) is listed as a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Wizards.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Curry has tested his foot injury prior to each of the last few games. He's yet to feel well enough to start. With the Warriors currently between back-to-back road games, Curry won't have a chance to work out at a shootaround. We'll know his official status around 6 p.m. ET.
Mar. 5 - 9:28 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Jose Mercury News</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rudy Fernandez - G/F - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rudy Fernandez (back) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Kings.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Fernandez has missed seven straight games with his lower back strain. He continues to be listed as day-to-day.
Mar. 5 - 5:25 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nick Young - G/F - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nick Young (knee) says he will play against the Wizards Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Mar. 5 - 5:41 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Michael Lee 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">Beat writer Michael Cunningham suggests Joe Johnson (knee) could sit out until Sunday's game against the Kings.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Mar. 5 - 5:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 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 in Monday's game against the Wizards.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Mar. 5 - 6:27 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Rusty Simmons 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) is out for Monday's game against the Pacers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Watson was able to play through his sprain Sunday, but is too sore to play on the back-to-back. The scoring guard's absence will create a little more room for Richard Hamilton and Ronnie Brewer.
Mar. 5 - 6:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 5, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nikola Pekovic - C - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Clippers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Pekovic is dealing with "inflammation" in his ankle and it may be why he didn't play in the fourth quarter Saturday. If Pekovic ends up sitting, Darko Milicic will start. Derrick Williams and Michel Beasley also figure to pick up minutes as the Wolves will be forced to go small plenty.
Mar. 5 - 7:04 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 2012

NBA News/Injuries/etc. (3/6/12)

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Richard Hamilton - G/F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Richard Hamilton has been diagnosed with a mild sprain of his right shoulder and is listed as day-to-day.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's good news for the Bulls and owners as tests showed no separation. The bad news is that it's yet another nick on Hamilton's banged-up body and the damage is on his shooting side. The 34-year-old has appeared in just 16 of 40 games this season due to various muscle strains and pulls. Ronnie Brewer will start for as long as Hamilton is out this time.
Mar. 6 - 4:53 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 6, 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">Nets GM Billy King admitted that Brook Lopez (foot/ankle) could end up getting shut down for the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Officially, the Nets say Lopez is out three weeks. "But at three weeks, if he still have a little soreness in the ankle, we're going to hold him out," King said. "Because my main concern is about Brook Lopez, going forward at 23 years old. We want him as healthy as possible." Even if Lopez does return after three weeks, the Nets will only have 15 games left in the season. He has sustained a severe sprain and a broken bone in his right ankle/foot this season.
Mar. 6 - 4:01 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 2012

<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) admitted that he still can't grip a basketball in his right hand.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Varejao's fractured right wrist is feeling much better, but this isn't a promising sign. He's approaching the four-week mark and the strength in the joint clearly isn't there. We're expecting a new target date once Varejao meets with doctors later this week.
Mar. 6 - 3:39 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rashard Lewis - F - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Lewis (knee) expects to return within a week.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Lewis has a bone bruise in his left knee and he took a synvisc shot. It's just more knee troubles for the washed up 32-year-old. With Andray Blatche, Jordan Crawford, Nick Young, Trevor Booker, Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton all needing minutes on the wings, Lewis is on the back burner.
Mar. 6 - 2:48 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 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">There is still no timetable on Zach Randolph's (knee) return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Randolph took a major step forward on Monday when he participated in a contact practice for the first time since tearing his MCL on Jan. 1. He's been medically cleared, but isn't in basketball shape and is still tentative on his knee. Randolph won't play against the Warriors on Wednesday and is extremely doubtful for both Saturday and Sunday. Wildly Inconsistent Marreese Speights will continue to hold down the fort at power forward.
Mar. 6 - 2:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Raptors want Andrea Bargnani (calf) to get a couple full practices in before he returns to a game.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There is no firm target date for Bargnani yet, but he sounds close. The Raptors are off Tuesday, have a game Wednesday and then have back-to-back practice sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The Toronto Sun is speculating that Bargnani could return on Saturday or Sunday, but adds that he's unlikely to play on consecutive nights at first.
Mar. 6 - 1:56 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 2012

<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 (sprained knee) will not practice on Tuesday and is a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Bobcats.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Given his injury history and relative fragility, it wouldn't be surprising to see Harris miss Wednesday's contest against Charlotte. If he can't play, Earl Watson would likely draw the start in his place.
Mar. 6 - 12:59 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Mar 6, 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">As expected, Chris Bosh (personal) will return for Tuesday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Erik Spoelstra said that Bosh is "fine" and that he worked out at the arena on Monday when the team had the day off. Owners need to get him back in the lineup after his three-game absence, as he's averaged 18.4 points and 8.3 rebounds on 49.4 percent shooting and shot a stellar 81.7 percent from the line.
Mar. 6 - 11:17 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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