NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/17/12)

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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 (ankle) will not play in any of the Warriors' final six games, a source tells ESPN's Chris Broussard.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's just confirmation of what has been suspected for the better part of a month. Curry's chronic ankle/foot issues have been devastating, leading to 48 games missed over the last two seasons. The injuries also hindered the scoring guard when he was active this season as he managed career-lows in points (14.7), assists (5.3) and rebounds (3.4).
Apr. 17 - 5:29 p.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Chris Broussard on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<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">Coach Doug Collins hinted that Thaddeus Young will head back to the bench going forward.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Collins insists that Young's Monday start in Orlando was purely for matchup purposes. Considering how poorly the Sixers played in the 113-100 loss, it's probably now an easy call for the coach. Look for a starting frontcourt of Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand and Nikola Vucevic on Tuesday.
Apr. 17 - 5:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<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) said he will talk to coach Kevin McHale about the possibility of playing on Wednesday or Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It sounds like Martin has finally been medically cleared after sitting out 19 straight games. The question now is if McHale is comfortable using him in a major role after so much time off. The Rockets have lost four straight games, so perhaps Martin will be used to create a spark if active. We should know more after Wednesday's shootaround.
Apr. 17 - 4:52 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<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) remains questionable for Wednesday's game against the Mavs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Camby missed practice Tuesday in order to get treatment. Coach Kevin McHale said he's not sure if his starting center will be ready or not. If Camby can't go, Sam Dalembert (probable, back) will start.
Apr. 17 - 4:38 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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">As expected, Kobe Bryant (shin) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Spurs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kobe did some light shooting on Monday and is expected to graduate to running/jumping shortly. He says he wants to get some work in before the playoffs start even though the Lakers have just four games left after Tuesday. Devin Ebanks draws another start at shooting guard, but Metta World Peace has stepped up the most in Kobe's 10-day absence.
Apr. 17 - 2:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Chris Kaman (leg) is likely out for the rest of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Kaman has a bruised left tibia, capping a strange year for the talented 7-footer. He spent a vast majority of the season on the trading block, while also serving as the team's offensive focal point for long stretches. Kaman ended up averaging 13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks even tough he saw just 29.2 minutes per game. He figures to fetch a hefty ransom on the free agency market this summer. Meanwhile, the Hornets will roll with Jason Smith, Gustavo Ayon and Carl Landry as their primary bigs over the final five games of the season.
Apr. 17 - 2:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Marc J. Spears on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Charlie Villanueva - F - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Charlie Villanueva will serve as the backup power forward in Tuesday's game against the Cavs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Villanueva had 13 points in 19 minutes on Sunday. The problem is that as the backup "four," he's behind franchise player Greg Monroe. There's just not enough minutes there for owners to count on Charlie V. Jonas Jerebko will back up Tayshaun Prince at small forward Tuesday.
Apr. 17 - 2:14 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 · Apr 17, 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 (foot) is traveling with the Bulls to Charlotte for Wednesday's game against the Bobcats.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Tests on Rose's right foot didn't show any serious damage, so he's on the plane with his teammates. The Bulls have officially listed him as day-to-day, but owners should note the back-to-back coming up on Wednesday/Thursday. C.J. Watson is the handcuff while we await word from the Wednesday morning shootaround.
Apr. 17 - 2:09 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<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">Updating a previous item, Marc Gasol (knee) is participating in shootaround and is questionable to play on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">A report had Gasol listed as doubtful for Tuesday's game, but he's a surprise participant at shootaround and is owners should consider him questionable to suit up. That bone bruise on his knee is sounding more and more like a minor contusion.
Apr. 17 - 12:14 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 · Apr 17, 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 (torn pectoral) has been cleared to participate in contact work.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Horford had his surgery on January 17 and had returned to non-contact practice over two weeks ago. He's three months removed from his surgery, and his initial timetable to return was three-to-four months. It's conceivable that Horford could return for the playoffs at less than full strength, but the Hawks won't jeopardize anything by bringing him back during the regular season.
Apr. 17 - 12:09 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 · Apr 17, 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) attributes his ankle problems to his oversized calves.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen, who will play on Tuesday, underwent double ankle surgery in 2007, but said he's been told that his calf muscles are "huge," and added that he "always feels tightness in there," which prevents his ankles from moving. To combat the issue, Allen wears Phiten titanium discs on both legs and has begun a more aggressive stretching routine.
Apr. 17 - 11:29 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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) did not participate in shootaround on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Varejao is on the road trip with the team, but he's still got some time before he's back in action. His wrist was still sore on Sunday, and he was expected to be reevaluated at some point in the coming days. It would be a surprise to see Varejao come back this season as his timetable continues to get pushed back.
Apr. 17 - 11:27 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 · Apr 17, 2012

<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) went through shootaround on Tuesday, but will not play against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Irving "might" be available to play on Wednesday against the Sixers, but that's not certain at this time. He's won't play on Tuesday, and he'll be reevaluated both tonight and tomorrow to see if he can play against Philly.
Apr. 17 - 11:25 a.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Jason Lloyd on Sulia</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<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) is listed as questionable to play in Wednesday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Wallace is supposed to go through a workout on Tuesday to determine his availability for the remainder of the season, so we shouldn't have to wait too long to find out his status for the stretch run. Gerald Green started at small forward and had 15 points (three treys) on Monday in 35 minutes, while Anthony Morrow kicked in six points in 24.5 minutes off the bench.
Apr. 17 - 11:05 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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 (calf) has already been ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's an aggravation of the same calf injury that cost D-Will four games back in March. Time is wearing thin for Williams to contribute for his owners down the stretch, and the fact he's ruled out more than 24 hours in advance of the game isn't a good sign. Sundiata Gaines started in his place on Monday, scoring 11 points to pair with four rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 33 minutes.
Apr. 17 - 11:03 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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 (knee) is not on the injury report prior to Tuesday's game against the Celtics.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler underwent treatment yesterday and "is a go" against Boston. He appeared to have hyperextended his knee on Sunday, but he stayed in the game and played through the pain.
Apr. 17 - 9:14 a.m. ET
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</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: New York Post</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 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 hoping to return on Friday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Marc Berman previously wrote for days that Stoudemire was "eying" a Wednesday return, but that obviously was a guess more than it was anything else. Stoudemire has gone through two contact scrimmages and the Knicks believe a return on Friday is "more realistic." He's likely going to be limited upon his return, and it's tough to justify having him on the roster in standard-sized leagues with so much uncertainty surrounding his ailing back.
Apr. 17 - 9:12 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mike Brown said he "wouldn't hesitate" to rest key players before the regular season ends.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Owners have to be paying attention to the standings to see if and when the Lakers lock in their seed for the playoffs. It sounds like Brown is open to giving both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol some time off, so keep a careful eye on exactly how the Lakers fare over the next couple of games.
Apr. 17 - 8:46 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 17, 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) is expected to return before the season ends, according to Rick Adelman.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">With just three games left after Tuesday's game, Ridnour doesn't exactly have much time to make a huge impact for fantasy owners. J.J. Barea has been rolling in Ridnour's absence with averages of 14.5 points and 9.3 assists and is a must-start in all formats even if Ridnour manages to return.
Apr. 17 - 7:45 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Apr 17, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Love (concussion) could be out for the remainder of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">There have been relatively few updates on Love's condition, and it just doesn't make sense to bring him back with the Wolves not playing for anything. Rick Adelman had no update on how Love was faring, and we'd be surprised if he played again this year. After Tuesday, Minnesota has just three games left in the season. Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, and Anthony Randolph have all alternated time in the spotlight since Love had gone down.
Apr. 17 - 7:44 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune</td></tr></tbody></table>