NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/19/12)

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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 listed as out for Thursday's game against the Pistons.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ridnour is hoping to play in the final two games of the year, but that's far from a lock. They're meaningless and J.J. Barea has been excelling as the starting point guard.
Apr. 19 - 4:41 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nicolas Batum - G/F - Trail Blazers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">GM Chad Buchanan has not ruled out resting Nicolas Batum (knee) for the rest of the season.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Batum's status will be determined on a game-by-game basis, but the signs here are not good. His knee has been an issue for weeks now and he couldn't even finish out Wednesday's game. The Blazers have also fully committed to getting a look at their younger players, so Luke Babbitt figures to see plenty of burn regardless. Streamers should note that Babbitt has averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 3-pointers over his last two games.
Apr. 19 - 4:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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 said he won't even fully test his ankle for another month.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The status of Curry's ankle will be one of fantasy basketball's biggest offseason stories. He's missed 48 games over the last two seasons and been limited in countless others. Even if Curry sustains health through the summer and 2012-13 training camp, he'll still come with injury concerns on draft day.
Apr. 19 - 4:05 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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">It "appears" that Anderson Varejao's season is over, according to the Associated Press.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Cavs haven't officially made a decision, so the AP is just reading the tea leaves here. Varejao hasn't played since breaking his wrist on Feb. 10 and there are only five games left in the season now. There has still been no explanation regarding how a 4-6 week injury ended up costing him more than two months.
Apr. 19 - 3:54 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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 did not tell Magic owner Rich DeVos that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, sources tell ESPN.com.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">According to WKMG in Orlando, Howard called DeVos on Friday to tell him he's done with Van Gundy forever. Predictably, Howard's camp is denying the allegation. "It's a completely made-up, B.S. story," one of his representatives said. Howard's back injury, not the off-court drama, will decide when he returns to the court. He's questionable for the start of the playoffs.
Apr. 19 - 3:37 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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 still targeting Friday for his return.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Knicks didn't have a formal practice on Thursday, so there's still a little doubt here. But Stoudemire will go through shootaround on Friday morning and signs are pointing toward a return for limited minutes. The Knicks will certainly want to use the final four games of the season to get their starting power forward acclimated after more than three weeks off.
Apr. 19 - 3:01 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 · Apr 19, 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">Raymond Felton (personal) will not play in Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Felton had already been held out of the last two games so the Blazers could get a look at younger players. Now he's leaving the team to attend an uncle's funeral. At this point, it would be a surprise to see Felton again this season. Nolan Smith has averaged 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals over the last two games.
Apr. 19 - 2:55 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">LaMarcus Aldridge will have right hip surgery sometime between May 7 and May 11.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Aldridge's recovery timetable has been set at 2-4 months as the procedure will be arthroscopic in nature. He should be nearing 100 percent by the time 2012-13 training camp rolls around.
Apr. 19 - 2:40 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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">Wilson Chandler (out for season, hip), could be facing 4-5 months of rehab after surgery.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chandler has a labral tear in his left hip. It's similar to the injury that ended LaMarcus Aldridge's season, but the tear is apparently more severe. Chandler will have an injury flag next to his name in 2012-13 fantasy drafts.
Apr. 19 - 2:30 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rajon Rondo - G - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rajon Rondo (back) will not play in Friday's game against the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rondo will stay behind in Boston to rehab. It's a no-brainer play for the Celtics as they are virtually locked into the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. After Friday, they have just two games left in the season. Rondo's status for those games is unclear.
Apr. 19 - 2:10 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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), Rajon Rondo (back) and Mickael Pietrus (knee) are not traveling with the Celtics for Friday's game in Atlanta.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Allen's injury is especially concerning because he's sustained multiple aggravations and setbacks. Friday marks his seventh straight game missed and he also sat out six straight games with the same issue in late March. After Friday, the Celtics have just two games left in the regular season.
Apr. 19 - 2:05 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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">According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, it "doesn't sound promising" that Derrick Rose (foot) will play on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Windhorst cited reports from Chicago media, but we haven't seen anything to suggest that Rose's status has been determined one way or the other. He's officially listed as a game-time call, with C.J. Watson sitting behind him in the wings if Rose can't play.
Apr. 19 - 12:39 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 · Apr 19, 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) could sit out the regular season finale against the Kings if the Lakers have solidified seeding for the playoffs.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bryant is set to return to action on Friday against the Spurs, but it's possible he'll also take the Lakers' final regular season game off against Sacramento if the game has no impact on the standings. Owners will have to proceed with caution with the Black Mamba.
Apr. 19 - 11:03 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2012

<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">Dwane Casey confirmed that Jose Calderon will not be shut down.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"We're not shutting (Calderon) down," Casey said. Calderon has missed four straight games with his eye injury and has no clear timetable for his return at this time.
Apr. 19 - 8:28 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Luol Deng - F - Bulls </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Luol Deng said that he "should be able to go" against the Heat on Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"We're going to reevaluate in the morning, but most likely," Deng said when asked if he'd be playing. He's missed two straight games after taking a shot to the ribs, but it would be surprising to see him sit out against Miami on Thursday night. We'll have another update before tipoff, but Deng appears safe to use moving forward.
Apr. 19 - 8:06 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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) is unlikely to play in all five of Cleveland's remaining games.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"I probably won't play all five games," Irving said. "It's about being smart right now." Irving played just 20 minutes on Wednesday, so owners are going to have to roll with him at their own risk. He'll likely be on a minutes cap when he does play, and it's tough for owners to stomach a DNP at this juncture of the season.
Apr. 19 - 7:39 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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 is fully expected to play on Thursday against the Bulls, while Chris Bosh is a game-time decision.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">No specifics on what might be wrong with Bosh, other than the Heat are going to get their guys some rest when they can. Get Wade back in your lineup.
Apr. 19 - 6:30 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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">Chris Bosh will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Bulls due to "bumps and bruises."</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">If that's all that's wrong with him you have to think he'll play, but Erik Spoelstra would also like to get his studs as much rest as he can heading into the playoffs. Hopefully we'll have an answer well before game time.
Apr. 19 - 6:36 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Apr 19, 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">Beat writer Jerry Zgoda reports that Kevin Love could possibly return for the Wolves' final two games of the season, Sunday and Thursday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This information came just after Timberwolves PR said on Twitter that Love might play in Thursday's finale against the Nuggets, but it does appear that Love may still have a shot at the last two games of the season if his concussion is fully healed up.
Apr. 19 - 6:50 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 · Apr 19, 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">The Wolves are hoping Luke Ridnour can play on Sunday against the Warriors.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Wolves only have that game and next Thursday against the Nuggets remaining after Thursday's game, so the most games Ridnour will play in is two. And with J.J. Barea playing so well, Ridnour's minutes could be limited.
Apr. 19 - 6:48 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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