NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/22/11)

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Wesley Matthews - G/F - Trail Blazers

Wesley Matthews missed practice on Tuesday after getting stranded in Wisconsin due to a snowstorm, but is expected to start on Wednesday.
Matthews is being fined for missing practice, but it doesn't sound like he's in any trouble with Nate McMillan over this situation. Feb. 22 - 4:57 p.m. ET
Source: The Oregonian

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Joakim Noah - F/C - Bulls

Joakim Noah will start against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Feb. 22 - 4:48 p.m. ET
Source: K.C. Johnson on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Ronnie Price - G - Jazz

Ronnie Price (toe) is doubtful for Wednesday against the Mavs.
Price's absence means additional minutes off the bench for Earl Watson Feb. 22 - 4:14 p.m. ET
Source: Brian T. Smith on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Brandon Roy - G/F - Trail Blazers

Brandon Roy (knees) practiced on Wednesday and reportedly experienced no pain, but is still listed as a game-time call for Wednesday.
Roy is waiting for clearance from the team's coaches and trainers, with his official status to be determined after Wednesday's shootaround. We're optimistic about his chances, but fantasy owners will want to check back on Wednesday to be sure. Feb. 22 - 4:07 p.m. ET
Source: Joe Freeman on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Marcus Camby - F/C - Trail Blazers

Marcus Camby (knee) is doubtful for Wednesday, and Brandon Roy (knees) practiced but is listed as a game-time decision.
Camby is reportedly still feeling pain in his knee, and may not have much incentive to play this week as his name continues to pop up in trade rumors. Joel Przybilla could get the start against the Lakers' bigger frontcourt on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Roy is said to be pain-free, but his final status will be determined after Wednesday's shootaround. Feb. 22 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Source: Joe Freeman on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Tony Parker - G - Spurs

Tony Parker says he will play against the Thunder on Wednesday despite a bruised knee.
Teammate Tiago Splitter, however, remains day-to-day with a hamstring injury. Feb. 22 - 3:42 p.m. ET
Source: Jeff McDonald on Twitter

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Carmelo Anthony - F - Knicks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Donnie Walsh is hopeful Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the players traded will pass their physicals (or have them waived) and be available on Wednesday night when the Knicks host the Bucks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Melo is said to be in the process of signing a three-year max extension and Walsh sounds fairly optimistic that Melo will play on Wednesday.
Feb. 22 - 3:38 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Ken Berger on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Tyreke Evans - G - Kings </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Tyreke Evans had the first of three extra corporeal shockwave treatments on his left foot and will be in a walking boot for three weeks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>It sounds like he'll be on the shelf until mid-March and then be re-evaluated. This is the news owners didn't want to hear, and benefits players like Beno Udrih, Jermaine Taylor, Donte Greene and Pooh Jeter. However, it's tough to tell who will get his minutes. Beno is a must-own player, while Taylor is coming off a big game.
Feb. 22 - 3:07 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Marc Spears on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Nick Young - G/F - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Nick Young (knee) returned to practice Monday and is expected to play in Tuesday's game against the Pacers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Young needed an MRI last week, but it came back negative. Considering all the time he has had off, we'd expect big minutes tonight. Kirk Hinrich (calf) is out and Rashard Lewis (knee) will be limited.
Feb. 22 - 11:05 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Rashard Lewis - F - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Rashard Lewis (knee) will be "limited" in Tuesday's game against the Pacers.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>We're not exactly sure what "limited" means yet, but it's probably a sign to get Lewis on your bench. Even if he starts, it sounds like 30 minutes is a poor bet. It's a terrible sign for Lewis' long-term outlook that he isn't even ready after a five-day layoff from activity.
Feb. 22 - 10:42 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Kirk Hinrich - G - Wizards </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kirk Hinrich (calf) will not play against the Pacers Tuesday and Rashard Lewis (knee) will be limited.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>This is the first we've heard of any injury to Hinrich and the severity is unknown. Consider him day-to-day for now, with Cartier Martin and Josh Howard looking at some extra burn. As the third guard behind John Wall and Nick Young, Hinrich will be a borderline fantasy play the rest of the way.
Feb. 22 - 10:36 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

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

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Matt Barnes - G/F - Lakers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Matt Barnes participated in a non-contact practice Monday for the first time since knee surgery.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Barnes has missed 20 games and admitted he will need at least three more full practices before even thinking about playing in a game. The Lakers could certainly use his defensive presence and he should eat into Ron Artest's minutes once ready.
Feb. 22 - 9:38 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: ESPN Los Angeles</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Raja Bell - G/F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Raja Bell (calf) practiced Monday and is expected to play in Wednesday against the Mavericks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Coach Tyrone Corbin confirmed that Bell will start, slamming the door on any ideas that C.J. Miles or Gordon Hayward would send the veteran to the pine. Still, Bell averages just 8.4 points per game as a starter, making him waiver-wire fodder.
Feb. 22 - 9:30 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Salt Lake Tribune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Andrei Kirilenko - F - Jazz </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) practiced Monday and is expected to play Wednesday against the Mavericks.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The only thing that will keep Kirilenko out is a setback. Coach Tyrone Corbin confirmed that AK47 will start over C.J. Miles, so get him in all lineups. The Russian is averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals this season.
Feb. 22 - 9:24 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Salt Lake Tribune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Corey Maggette - F - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Corey Maggette (back) practiced in full on Monday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>The back injury knocked Maggette out of his starting role just before the break, and it's unclear if he'll get it back from Carlos Delfino. "I was able to get a lot of treatment on my back and it helped out a whole lot," said Maggette. "It's decent right now. It's not 100 percent." We'd expect some kind of hot hand timeshare against the Wolves tonight.
Feb. 22 - 9:18 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Michael Redd - G/F - Bucks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Michael Redd (knee surgery) isn't likely to practice fully for at least two weeks, according to beat writer Gery Woelful.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Redd was able to participate in Monday's practice on a limited basis, getting some shots up and messing around with John Salmons after the workout. But no one is predicting when Redd will actually get in a full-contact practice let alone play in a game. There's no reason to worry about Redd clogging up the Bucks' wing rotation yet.
Feb. 22 - 9:13 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Gery Woelfel on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Chris Kaman - C - Clippers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Beat writer Lisa Dillman expects Chris Kaman's minutes to increase on the upcoming three-game road trip.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Kaman's played just 9 1/2 minutes in his return to action last Wednesday, but looked sharp. With just a little soreness after the game, we'd expect him to get up around 20 minutes before the week is over. Eventually, an even timeshare with DeAndre Jordan is reasonable if a trade can't be completed.
Feb. 22 - 9:09 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Los Angeles Times</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Eric Gordon - G - Clippers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>The most realistic date for Eric Gordon's (wrist) return is Monday against the Kings, according to beat writer Lisa Dillman.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Gordon is definitely out for the next three games and Saturday's contest appears to be in real doubt as well. "He was evaluated today. The response was positive from both doctors," said VP Neil Olshey. "Optimistically, maybe by the end of the week. If not, we're targeting Sacramento."
Feb. 22 - 9:02 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Los Angeles Times</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Emeka Okafor - C - Hornets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Emeka Okafor (oblique) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Clippers despite practicing on Monday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Coach Monty Williams said that they will evaluate Okafor after Tuesday's practice before making a decision on his status. Considering the big man is way past his original timetable already, we expect him to play Wednesday. If he practices again on Tuesday, it's a lock.
Feb. 22 - 8:55 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Feb 22, 2011

Mo Williams - G - Cavaliers </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mo Williams (ankle) tried to practice Monday but was shut down by coach Byron Scott.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Williams is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Rockets, but at this point it would be a surprise if he played. "I didn't like what I was seeing," Scott said after practice. Consider Ramon Sessions a high-end play Wednesday barring a trade.
Feb. 22 - 8:40 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: The News-Herald</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>