NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/4/11)

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Rashard Lewis - F - Wizards

Rashard Lewis (knee) confirmed that he is targeting next season for his return.
Lewis had a PRP injection two weeks ago and is still several weeks away from basketball related activity. His goal is to get to training camp at 100 percent, but we'll be skeptical. Lewis' knees may never be right again and expecting a bounce-back season at age 32 is unrealistic. Apr. 4 - 4:40 p.m. ET
Source: Washington Post

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Josh Smith - F - Hawks

Josh Smith (knee) appears headed for a game-time decision Tuesday after missing Monday's practice.
The Hawks are virtually locked into the No. 5 seed in the East, so there is no incentive for Smith to push it. "It's sore and heâ€™s got a little swelling," coach Larry Drew said Monday. "We will see how he will be tomorrow." If Smith can't go, look for Jason Collins to start as the Hawks go to their "twin" lineup. Apr. 4 - 5:08 p.m. ET
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Troy Murphy - F/C - Celtics

Troy Murphy (ankle) returned to Celtics practice Monday.
As long as Murphy's ankle doesn't swell overnight, he'll be a go for Tuesday's game against the Sixers. Note that Murphy is averaging just 10.5 minutes per game since joining the Celtics. Apr. 4 - 4:37 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN Boston

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Nenad Krstic - F/C - Celtics

Nenad Krstic (knee) participated in Celtics practice Monday and is expected to play in Tuesday's game against the Sixers.
Krstic's knee isn't 100 percent, but he can't make it worse by playing on it. He'll likely come off the bench for limited minutes behind Jermaine O'Neal. Apr. 4 - 4:35 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN Boston

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Shaquille O'Neal - C - Celtics

The Celtics say that Shaquille O'Neal (calf) may be back by the end of the week.
The Celtics are often overly optimistic about Shaq. They forget that he's 39 and does not recover quickly from injuries -- the Achilles strain that was supposed to keep him out a couple days cost him two months. This calf strain may not be severe, but we'd still be a little surprised to see Shaq again in the regular season. Apr. 4 - 3:48 p.m. ET
Source: Celtics on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Pau Gasol - F/C - Lakers

Pau Gasol's precautionary knee MRI is not expected to happen until 6 p.m. ET, but the Lakers are "very optimistic" about the results.
Barring a stunner, Gasol will almost certainly be fine. He came back into the game after his tweak and the Lakers have expressed no concern. We'll have confirmation late tonight, but for now owners should feel safe putting Pau in lineups. Apr. 4 - 3:44 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Andrew Bynum - C - Lakers

Andrew Bynum (knee) practiced in full on Monday and said he has no pain.
Bynum was held out late in Sunday's loss to the Nuggets after banging into Lamar Odom's leg, but it's not a real concern. He'll be a full go for Tuesday's game against the Jazz and seems to be in very good overall health. Over his last 10 games, Bynum is averaging 13.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while shooting 63.7 percent from the field. Apr. 4 - 3:37 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Trudell on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Tyrus Thomas - F - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tyrus Thomas (knee) won't play in Tuesday's game against the Cavs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Thomas' inability to sustain health or get consistent minutes marred his season. Even next year, he'll be the kind of player we make "prove it" before reaching for his upside on draft day.
Apr. 4 - 3:29 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Associated Press</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Arron Afflalo - G - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach George Karl reiterated that Arron Afflalo (hamstring) won't play on back-to-backs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Afflalo is targeting Tuesday for his return, but is unlikely to play Wednesday.
Apr. 4 - 2:59 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Denver Post</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Eduardo Najera - F/C - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Paul Silas said he doubts Eduardo Najera (back) will play the rest of the season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Najera made 31 appearances for the Bobcats this season, recording 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.
Apr. 4 - 2:56 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Charlotte Observer</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Vince Carter - G/F - Suns </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Vince Carter came out of Sunday's game limping due to a left knee tweak.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Carter played 24 minutes yesterday, recording 12 points. He says he'll be fine for Tuesday, but we wouldn't be so sure. Carter isn't happy about coming off the bench and the Suns are out of the playoff chase. Owners can do better regardless.
Apr. 4 - 2:54 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Arizona Republic</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Kris Humphries - F - Nets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Coach Avery Johnson said that if Kris Humphries (ankle, heel) isn't able to play by Friday, the Nets will "have to take a long look" at not bringing him back.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Humphries has already been ruled out of Tuesday's game and does not sound close to a return. He's already proven himself as a warrior this season, outworking his opponent almost nightly. There is no reason for Humphries to rush back at this point. Owners should look elsewhere for a replacement as Johnson does not even know who he will start at power forward tomorrow.
Apr. 4 - 2:50 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Bergen Record</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Anthony Morrow - G/F - Nets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Anthony Morrow did not practice Monday due to left knee tendinitis.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Morrow could not finish the second half of Sunday's loss to the Heat and his status is in real doubt for Tuesday's game against the Wolves. Apr. 4 - 2:46 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Bergen Record</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Deron Williams - G - Nets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Beat writer Al Iannazzone says that it would be a surprise if Deron Williams finishes the season on the active roster.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams only participated in the non-contact portion of practice Tuesday. It sounds like he's going to gut out a couple more games, but could sit out the final week. If you can afford to stash Jordan Farmar as insurance, it makes sense to do so.
Apr. 4 - 2:44 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Bergen Record</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Carlos Boozer - F - Bulls </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Carlos Boozer (illness) missed Monday's practice and is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Suns.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>We normally wouldn't be too concerned, but Boozer is one of the frailest players in the league. It would not be a surprise if he sat out Tuesday, especially with the Bulls holding a 2 1/2 game lead on the Heat for the No. 1 seed in the East. If Boozer can't go, Kurt Thomas would likely get another start.
Apr. 4 - 2:35 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Aggrey Sam on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Darko Milicic - F/C - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Darko Milicic (ankle) will not travel with the Wolves for Tuesday's game in New Jersey.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Considering how soft Milicic is, we wouldn't hold on and pray for a recovery. At this point in the season, owners are better off looking for healthy options. Nikola Pekovic figures to start Tuesday and is a decent plug-n-play if you need blocks/boards.
Apr. 4 - 2:32 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Kent Youngblood on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Kevin Love - F/C - Timberwolves </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kevin Love (groin) did not practice on Monday and did not travel with the Wolves for Tuesday's game in New Jersey.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The fact that Love isn't even traveling with the Wolves is a very bad sign. With just four games left in the season after tomorrow, there is a very good chance Love's season is over. The Wolves are also battling for extra ping-pong balls in the lottery, so playing a hobbled Love makes no sense. With Darko Milicic also out, Nikola Pekovic, Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph all make sense as desperation adds.
Apr. 4 - 2:11 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Kent Youngblood on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Joakim Noah - F/C - Bulls </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Joakim Noah (ankle) returned to practice Monday and is expected to play on Tuesday night.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>This is great news for owners who stashed him with the hopes of his return during championship week as it appears he's over his latest ailment and ready to roll. He'll return to his normal role as a nightly double-double threat with the ability to swat anything near the rim.
Apr. 4 - 1:56 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Devin Harris - G - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Devin Harris (hamstring) is reportedly doing everything he can in order to be ready for Tuesday's game against the Lakers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Owners that have been holding onto Harris with the hope that he'll return should remain in that same pattern. He hasn't done much to convince anyone that he's not a fragile point guard, but it's nice to see that he's not just simply waiting for the injury to heal on its own. We still suspect Earl Watson will get the start Tuesday as the Jazz have no shot at the playoffs.
Apr. 4 - 1:26 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Brian T. Smith on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 4, 2011

Stephen Jackson - G/F - Bobcats </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Stephen Jackson (hamstring) said that he won't play in Tuesday night's contest and beat writer Mike Cranston says it sounds like Captain Jack may be done for the season.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Jackson has sat out the last two games due to a severe hamstring pull. He refuses to say that he's shutting it down, but the Bobcats are two games behind then Pacers with just six games to play. At this point, owners need to move on to healthier options than S-Jax. Gerald Henderson gets a boost, while Dante Cunningham will likely continue to start.
Apr. 4 - 1:11 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Mike Cranston on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>