NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/19/12)

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Manu Ginobili - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Manu Ginobili (strained oblique) originally hurt his rib area during Tuesday's game, then aggravated the injury by running into a Kenyon Martin screen on Saturday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Ginobili had a limp when he went into the locker room at halftime, then he tried to play in the third quarter but wasn't able to continue. Teammate Danny Green said he strained an oblique in college and the injury lasted about three weeks. The fact that Manu tried to play through the pain makes us hopeful that it's not too severe, but we should have an official timetable before long.
Feb. 19 - 9:49 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: San Antonio Express-News</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Drew Gooden - F/C - Bucks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Drew Gooden isn't likely to play at New Jersey on Sunday due to lingering problems with his wrist and knee.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">He didn't accompany the team to Orlando for Friday's game, and since he's not on the road trip, it makes sense that he will not play on Sunday, either. Ersan Ilyasova started on Friday, and should do so again on Sunday.
Feb. 19 - 1:16 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Brook Lopez - C - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Brook Lopez, who will return from foot surgery on Sunday, has gained 10 pounds of muscle while rehabilitating.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Lopez looks visibly stronger and could be poised for a big second half of the season, even if the threat of a trade hangs over him. He says he's in good shape, and the Nets took "every conceivable precaution" with his return according to coach Avery Johnson, but it should take him at least a few games to get up to speed.
Feb. 19 - 10:07 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Baron Davis - G - Knicks </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Baron Davis expects to make his season debut on Sunday vs. the Mavericks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"It will be a good chance for me to get some minutes," he said. "I want to get out there and see where I am, what I need to work on, what’s bothering me and the things I need to correct." Fantasy owners should leave him on the waiver wire unless he gives us a compelling reason to change our stance.
Feb. 19 - 10:27 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Carmelo Anthony - F - Knicks</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mike D'Antoni sounds confident that Carmelo Anthony (groin) can return to action on Monday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"Knowing Melo and knowing where he is, he'll play tomorrow," said D'Antoni.
Feb. 19 - 12:47 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Manu Ginobili - G - Spurs </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Manu Ginobili (strained oblique) is hopeful that his injury isn't as bad as he feared.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"Last night it was very bad, but the [anti-]inflammatories already are working," said Manu. "We’ll know more tomorrow, but I am hopeful." This is an encouraging update, though his owners should still prepare for a string of DNPs. It seems doubtful that he'd rejoin the Spurs for any of their next three road games, and they only have one home game after that prior to the All-Star break. He would have 13 days of rest if he sits out until the first game after the break, March 2nd against the Bobcats.
Feb. 19 - 2:12 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>DeMarcus Cousins - F/C - Kings </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">DeMarcus Cousins, who has been dealing with back spasms, will play on Sunday against the Cavaliers.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Cousins was originally ruled out on Friday, but was able to play, and play very well, to the tune of 26 points and 15 rebounds. The fact that Sacramento is choosing not to shut him down through the All-Star break is a very good sign for the big man.
Feb. 19 - 2:57 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 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">Derrick Rose was able to do contact drills on Sunday, but coach Tom Thibodeau is calling him "questionable" for Monday night when the Bulls take on the Hawks.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"When he's ready to play, he's ready to play. Whether it's tomorrow or later, I'm not going to base it on anything other than him being ready to play," Thibodeau said. Rose's back continues to improve, but we likely won't know more about his status for Monday's game until a few minutes before tip-off.
Feb. 19 - 4:44 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 19, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kevin Garnett - F - Celtics </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kevin Garnett (personal) will not play on Sunday, and the Celtics don't expect to have him available on Monday, either</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Garnett is dealing with a family illness, and it's unclear at this point whether he will return for Wednesday's game against the Thunder. Chris Wilcox will get the start in place of KG.
Feb. 19 - 4:59 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>