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

[HacheMan]

<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 confirmed that he felt good after playing 34 minutes on Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Hamilton had 22 points with five rebounds and five assists, but the most important thing is his playing time. The 34 minutes were the most he's played since January 29, and Hamilton said "it was cool just to be out there" following the game. Hamilton also indicated that he's ready to play more minutes before the postseason begins.
Apr. 17 - 7:09 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: CSN Chicago</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">Coach Byron Scott is growing confident that Kyrie Irving (shoulder) will play again this season.</td></tr><tr><td>

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Apr. 17 - 6:43 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Plain Dealer 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) will not play in Tuesday's game against the Knicks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen was fully expected to return for this one as recently as Tuesday morning. But his troublesome ankle is swollen again, so the Celtics are holding him out. It's unclear how much of a setback this is. Avery Bradley will continue to rack up big minutes, especially with Mickael Pietrus (knee) also out.
Apr. 17 - 6:56 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]

<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">Marc Gasol is now expected to start for the Grizzlies on Tuesday against Minnesota, according to coach Lionel Hollins.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gasol has a bruised knee that required an MRI, but avoided disaster and will continue to play through the injury, despite an earlier report that said he wouldn't play tonight.
Apr. 17 - 7:12 p.m. ET
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</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>Kevin Love - F/C - Timberwolves </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Love is still experiencing concussion symptoms and is not only still not ready to play, but isn't even ready to go through the NBA's concussions tests.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After Monday, the Wolves have just four (meaningless) games remaining, so it would be shocking to see Love play again this season. Anthony Randolph could start in his place the rest of the way.
Apr. 17 - 7:28 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

 

[HacheMan]

<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">Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic could still be shut down for the rest of the season due to pain in his ankles, but is expected to start on Tuesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Coach Rick Adelman says he has talked to the Wolves training staff about shutting him down if things don't get better, but Pekovic also seems determined to keep playing. He's got surgery scheduled after the season, and could easily finish it out, but beware that Adelman is clearly aware of Pekovic's situation, and the big man could finally give in at some point over the next four games.
Apr. 17 - 7:35 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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