NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/16/12)

[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 is nursing a tender left ankle.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">James stepped on a fan's foot on the sideline during Sunday's win over the Knicks. He didn't miss a single play, but it's something to monitor for owners. The Heat may be looking to get LeBron some rest as the playoffs approach anyway.
Apr. 16 - 5:03 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 is a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Heat due to a sore right calf.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is the same calf issue that caused Williams to miss four games back in mid-March. We should have official word by 6:30 p.m. ET or so. If Williams sits out, Sundiata Gaines is a prime candidate to draw the start.
Apr. 16 - 4:56 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]

<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 in Tuesday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It would be Bryant's sixth straight game on the sidelines. Although he sounded optimistic on Sunday and did some light shooting on Monday, the fact that he is getting ruled out so early for Tuesday is concerning. After the showdown with the Spurs, the Lakers have just four games remaining in the regular season.
Apr. 16 - 4:10 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Mike Bresnahan on Twitter</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 (foot) and Trevor Booker (foot) are not expected to play in Monday's game against the Bulls.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nene is thought to be closer to a return than Booker, but there's no firm target date. He's now appeared in just six of 16 possible games as a Wizard. Talented backup Kevin Seraphin is averaging 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over the last nine games.
Apr. 16 - 3:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSN Washington</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's (back) earliest return "looks like" Friday or Sunday, according to the New York Times.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire's return date has ranged anywhere from Tuesday to Sunday. The bottom line is that it will depend on how his back responds to increased workouts and practice participation. Regardless, Amare figures to be on a strict minutes cap initially. It's hard for fantasy owners to rely on him with so much uncertainty and just six games left in the season.
Apr. 16 - 3:19 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 (hip) will play in Monday's game against the Blazers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Nash has admitted to being in serious pain over the last few days, but he can't rest now. The Suns are just one game out of the playoffs with six games to go. If they end up eventually eliminated, Nash would be a prime shutdown candidate. Meanwhile, fellow veteran Grant Hill (knee) is headed for a game-time call Monday.
Apr. 16 - 2:13 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 (knee) is still expected to play in Tuesday's game against the Celtics.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler appeared to hyperextend his knee on Sunday, but played through it and brushed off any concerns afterward. Expect a full complement of minutes Tuesday.
Apr. 16 - 1:21 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Marc Gasol - C - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">An MRI on Marc Gasol's left knee revealed a bone bruise and he's been listed as day-to-day.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The good news is that Gasol didn't sustain any ligament damage when he banged knees with Xavier Henry on Sunday. That bad news for fantasy owners is that the Grizzlies are solidly in the playoffs with just six games left in the season. Gasol won't be rushed and is therefore doubtful for Tuesday's game in Minnesota. He also has to be considered very questionable for Wednesday's game against the Hornets. Zach Randolph, Marreese Speights and Dante Cunningham will all see a boost in minutes.
Apr. 16 - 10:47 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Thaddeus Young will start in Monday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This is just a matchup move from coach Doug Collins. He needs Young's athleticism to match up with Ryan Anderson at power forward and Elton Brand shouldn't have a problem defending Daniel Orton at center. Rookie Nikola Vucevic has been incredibly inconsistent as the starting center anyway. Spencer Hawes will be the first big off the bench.
Apr. 16 - 10:53 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Jose Calderon - G - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">A Wednesday return for Jose Calderon (eye) "might be reaching," according to the Toronto Sun.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After Wednesday's game in Miami, the Raptors are off until Sunday. Calderon certainly won't be rushed back with the Raptors long gone from the playoff chase. Ben Uzoh has started two straight games, averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists during that span.
Apr. 16 - 10:16 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Spurs are expected to rest their veterans at some point in the next three days.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Spurs kick off a back-to-back-to-back road trip Monday in Golden State. Owners should be preparing for Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili to be held out of at least one of the games. Coach Gregg Popovich hasn't tipped his hand yet as to which game that will be. The middle one would make sense, but that's against the rival Lakers.
Apr. 16 - 10:11 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Antonio Express-News</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 admitted he didn't know if he'll play again this season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Felton isn't injured, but the Blazers want to get a look at young guys such as Jonny Flynn and Nolan Smith. Felton is an impending free agent that is not expected back in Portland. "We'll see what happens," Felton said when asked if he'll play again this year. We already know he won't play in Monday's game against the Suns.
Apr. 16 - 9:54 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>Kevin Martin - G - Rockets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">There's still "nothing new" on Kevin Martin (shoulder), according to beat writer Jonathan Feigen.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Martin has been out for nearly five weeks now and he doesn't appear close to a return. Courtney Lee will remain the starting shooting guard, with Kyle Lowry and Chase Budinger also seeing time there off the bench.
Apr. 16 - 9:29 a.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>Marcus Camby - F/C - Rockets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Camby (back) is listed as day-to-day.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Camby revealed that he actually woke up Sunday morning with back pain, leading to his seven-minute night. His status for Monday's game is uncertain, but there will be the risk of in-game aggravation even if he guts it out. Patrick Patterson and Sam Dalembert are candidates to pick up minutes.
Apr. 16 - 9:25 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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">Wilson Chandler (groin) admitted that his return to the court Sunday "didn't feel too good."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">In his first action since March 30, Chandler struggled to zero points in seven minutes. "I was happy to be back on the court, but at the same time, it was kind of a tough situation — really no explosiveness and playing with pain," he said. Chandler is no threat to Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington or any other Nuggets wings right now.
Apr. 16 - 9:11 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Gerald Wallace (hamstring) will not play in Monday's game against the Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's Wallace's fourth straight game out and there's no target date for his return. After Monday, the Nets have just four games left in the season.
Apr. 16 - 5:19 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[yoders]

THANKS HACHE MAN...GL tonight

 

[HacheMan]

<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 (calf) will not play in Monday's game against the Heat.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's a concern because this right calf issue is an aggravation of an injury that cost Williams four games back in mid-March. With just four games left after Monday, owners need to prepare for the possibility of a shutdown. Backup Sundiata Gaines has averaged a mere 7.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in his seven starts this season.
Apr. 16 - 5:34 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]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Glen Davis - F/C - Magic </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Glen Davis (knee) will not play in Monday's game against the Sixers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Davis' MRI brought good news as he was officially a game-time call for this one. But considering it's just one day removed from the injury, there's likely too much soreness. Raw prospect Daniel Orton is drawing the start with Dwight Howard (back) also sidelined. Orton had five steals and three blocks in 28 minutes off the bench on Sunday.
Apr. 16 - 5:41 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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 will not play in Monday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">
Apr. 16 - 5:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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