NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/15/12)

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>David Lee - F/C - Warriors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">David Lee (groin, hip) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Warriors keep attempting to defend the obvious effort to tank, but anyone with eyes can see exactly what is going on. Lee was shut down because of groin and hip injuries that have been "troubling" him, and an MRI revealed a stress reaction. Lee was taking pain medication since initially injuring his hip, but we've just heard recently that he was dealing with anything at all. Regardless, he finishes the season with averages of 20.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals on 50.3 percent shooting.
Apr. 15 - 9:05 a.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Francisco Chronicle</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luke Ridnour - G - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luke Ridnour (ankle), who has missed six straight games, is still aiming to return this season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ridnour is still having issues cutting and shooting off of his sprained ankle, so he's not ready to go just yet. Rick Adelman sounded "skeptical" that Ridnour will be able to return, but it's clear the point guard doesn't want to miss the rest of the eyar. J.J. Barea has been absolutely rolling in Ridnour's absence.
Apr. 15 - 9:56 a.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant (shin) is not expected to play on Sunday against the Mavericks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bryant is unlikely to play until he's feeling 100 percent healthy because it's the type of injury that will only heal fully with rest. Mike Brown said that Bryant would "probably" miss a fifth consecutive game, and that means the earliest he could play is on Tuesday against the Spurs. Devin Ebanks will continue to start, but Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are the prime fantasy beneficiaries of Bryant's absence.
Apr. 15 - 9:39 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 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 (ankle) tried to resume basketball activities on Saturday, but did not make the "necessary progress" to return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"I don’t think it’s that serious. They are just trying to get the swelling down," Rivers said. "If there was a playoff game, would he play? Yeah probably." Rivers continues to insist it's not a serious issue, but Jesus Shuttlesworth has missed nine games with the injury and Sunday will be his tenth. He's "50-50" to play on Tuesday.
Apr. 15 - 9:24 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Paul Pierce - G/F - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Paul Pierce's (toe) status for Sunday's game against the Bobcats is uncertain.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Pierce "jammed" his big toe in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win over the Nets, and the veteran admitted to discussing the possibility of taking Sunday's game off against the lowly Bobcats in order to rest. Mickael Pietrus or Sasha Pavlovic would likely draw the start if Pierce is sidelined on Sunday.
Apr. 15 - 9:17 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">George Karl is hoping that Wilson Chandler (groin) is back "in the next couple days."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler's dealing with a groin and hip injury and will "probably need surgery" in the offseason, but the swingman wants to play through the pain and help his team. At far less than 100 percent, owners in standard-sized leagues can do much better than Chandler right now.
Apr. 15 - 10:02 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 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's (wrist) status is "undecided" for the remainder of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Varejao has already been ruled out until Sunday "at the earliest," but with just eight games left int he season, the big man is not a lock to return. Owners who had stashed him have to be peeved with his slow recovery process, but we should get a definitive update on his potential return in the coming days.
Apr. 15 - 10:45 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Steve Nash - G - Suns </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Steve Nash said his hip was "killing" him prior to Saturday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nash lasted six minutes before being pulled. "It was going downhill every step I took," he said. "I was lucky to get out when I did." Nash said that he's dealing with an irritated and inflamed hip socket, but it's unclear how that might impact him moving forward. Nash is hopeful treatment and medicine will allow him to play on Monday, but we're considering him questionable at this time.
Apr. 15 - 11:22 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Udonis Haslem (stomach virus) will start on Sunday against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Haslem returns after a one-game absence and will resume his starting role against New York. Ronny Turiaf (hamstring) remains sidelined for Miami.
Apr. 15 - 11:36 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Dwyane Wade - G - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Dwyane Wade (rest) will play on Sunday against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wade's status was never really in jeopardy for this matchup as he was just resting on Friday against the Bobcats. Owners need to make sure he's in the lineup. Mike Miller (rest, ankle) will also return to action.
Apr. 15 - 11:34 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<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) will be reevaluated in 10 days, according to GM Otis Smith.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"The only thing you can do is rest," Smith said. Howard received an epidural injection to treat his symptoms and will "likely" begin physical therapy on Monday. Stan Van Gundy went as far as to say that Howard's postseason availbility could be in jeopardy, but it's going to depend on how he responds to treatment. Glen Davis, who is averaging 18.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals over five starts at center, is locked in as a fantasy asset for the remainder of the regular season.
Apr. 15 - 11:30 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<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 (knee) participated in shootaround on Sunday and is expected to play on Sunday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Thomas has dropped so far off of the fantasy radar that most owners probably haven't even noticed he's been out. Charlotte owes Thomas more than $25 million over the next three seasons, making him a prime candidate for the amnesty clause.
Apr. 15 - 11:45 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Garnett - F/C - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Garnett (rest) and Paul Pierce (toe) "probably" won't play on Sunday against the Bobcats.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">We passed along an earlier report that Pierce could sit out to rest a jammed big toe, but Garnett would just be getting a night off. Charlotte has become the team for playoff teams to rest against, and it's not a surprise given the Bobcats last won on March 17. Ray Allen (ankle) is also out.
Apr. 15 - 12:26 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: A. Sherrod Blakely on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<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">Coach Mike Woodson said that Jeremy Lin (knee) has not begun running.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Lin was hoping to begin jogging this week, but that has yet to happen."I think he's still on the bike and probably doing pool work, probably," said Woodson. "But no jogging as far as I know." Woodson confirmed that Lin is still on his six-week timetable.
Apr. 15 - 1:39 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant (shin) will not play in Sunday's game against the Mavs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's Kobe's fifth straight game sidelined, giving Devin Ebanks yet another start. Consider Bryant questionable for Tuesday's showdown with the Spurs.
Apr. 15 - 2:12 p.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<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 (back) is tentatively expected to return to action on Tuesday or Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire played full-court four-on-four Saturday. He'll practice again on Monday to ensure that his balky back is ready to go. If activated this week, we'd expect Amare to be on a minutes cap and not play in back-to-back games.
Apr. 15 - 2:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<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 will play through an upper respiratory infection in Sunday's game against the Mavs.</td></tr><tr><td>

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Apr. 15 - 3:28 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 · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kobe Bryant - G - Lakers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kobe Bryant (shin) said Sunday that he will "definitely" be back "well before the playoffs."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kobe missed his fifth straight game Sunday, but he has no plans to shut it down in order to get ready for the playoffs. Consider him truly questionable for Tuesday's showdown with the Spurs. After Tuesday, the Lakers have just four games left in the season.
Apr. 15 - 4:20 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Derrick Rose - G - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Derrick Rose (ankle) participated fully in Saturday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose's ankle is feeling fine and he says he's already put Thursday's 1-for-13 disaster behind him. We'd expect a major bounce-back performance in Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Apr. 15 - 4:34 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 15, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Francisco Garcia - G/F - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Francisco Garcia (concussion) will be active for Sunday's game against the Blazers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Garcia has passed the NBA's concussion protocol. With John Salmons (hip) still out, Garcia will give the Kings some decent depth on the wings.
Apr. 15 - 4:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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