NBA News/Injuries/etc. (2/8/12)

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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">Updating an earlier item, Raymond Felton (foot) is being listed as probable for Wednesday's matchup with the Rockets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">An earlier report this afternoon had the Blazers' trainer trying to talk Felton into sitting out another game, but it sounds like he may have been cleared. If Felton does return, Jamal Crawford will go back to his normal role of 25-plus minutes off the bench.
Feb. 8 - 3:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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 told beat writer Kevin Ding that the torn ligament in his wrist is fully healed.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Most fantasy owners should have already stopped being too concerned about Kobe's wrist, but it's nice to have confirmation that the wrist has somehow fully healed despite a high volume of shots. Kobe's is no longer taking pre-game injections and is not even taping the wrist anymore (which helps his ability to shoot 3-pointers). Bryant has provided first-round value in 8-category and 9-category leagues this year and should be able to keep it up going forward.
Feb. 8 - 3:11 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Orange County Register</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Corey Maggette - F - Bobcats </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Corey Maggette (hamstring) has been cleared for "some" practice, and is hoping to return before the All-Star break.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Beat writer Rick Bonnell notes that Maggette "sounds cautious" about not rushing back, so a pre-All-Star break return isn't guaranteed. And with the return of Gerald Henderson around the same time, it's possible that Maggette will return to a role off the bench. It's safe to leave him on waivers in standard-sized leagues for now.
Feb. 8 - 2:45 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

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

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Marcus Camby (bronchitis) will play on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Camby didn't practice on Tuesday, but he's coming off of two straight games of at least 15 rebounds and has a whopping 35 over that span. With his proclivity to rack up the blocks, owners need to make sure he's back in the lineup. He's averaging 3.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.9 blocks in just 25 minutes per game this year.
Feb. 8 - 1:56 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 · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Nene Hilario - F/C - Nuggets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Nene (heel), who missed Monday's game, is "expected to return" to the starting lineup on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Although Nene is still officially a game-time decision, all indications are that he will play. He's averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks on 50.8 percent shooting this season and owners need to ensure he's back in the lineup before tipoff.
Feb. 8 - 1:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Will Bynum - G - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Will Bynum (foot) plans to play on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">After practicing on Monday, Bynum is ready to return to the lineup. He hasn't played since January 13 and will be eased back into the rotation. We're not expecting a sudden outburst with Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon all vying for minutes.
Feb. 8 - 12:26 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Ben Gordon - G - Pistons </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Ben Gordon (shoulder) plans to play in Wednesday's game against the Nets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Gordon has been sidelined since January 20 with the injury, but after going through a handful of practices, the veteran is ready to play. Prior to going down, Gordon was averaging 14.3 points and 1.3 treys in 33 minutes per game on 42.2 percent shooting.
Feb. 8 - 12:24 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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 (back) is a game-time decision for Wednesday against the Hornets.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Rose said that he planned on playing Wednesday after leaving Monday's game early, but the final word will come from the training staff. The Bulls certainly won't do anything to jeopardize his long-term availability, and Chicago has enough talent to beat New Orleans even if playing without Rose. Rose sounded confident that he'll play, but C.J. Watson would start in his place if he can't go, and has averaged an impressive 16.3 points, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.3 treys in three starts this year.
Feb. 8 - 11:47 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Elton Brand - F/C - 76ers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Elton Brand (thumb), who has missed the last two games, is set to rejoin the starting lineup on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Brand's swelling has gone down enough to the point where he's able to play, and the Sixers will need him in the lineup without Hawes (Achilles) available. The veteran power forward is averaging 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.6 blocks on 47.4 percent shooting.
Feb. 8 - 11:26 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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 (personal) will not return to the Knicks until Monday, meaning he will miss the next three games.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Stoudemire will sit out against the Wizards on Wednesday, Lakers on Friday and Timberwolves on Saturday. He'll be back before a battle against Toronto, and the Knicks are giving him all of the time he needs to mourn the tragic and unexpected loss of his older brother Hazell. Jared Jeffries should continue to start in Stoudemire's place and had 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block in his first start for STAT.
Feb. 8 - 11:03 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Anthony Morrow - G/F - Nets </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Anthony Morrow (personal) will return to the lineup on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Morrow missed Monday's game to attend his grandmother's funeral, but he's rejoined the team and is expected to slide right back into the starting lineup. He's been a phenomenal source of production with MarShon Brooks (toe) and DeShawn Stevenson (knee) out, and there is no reason to think that trend will change. Morrow is averaging 18.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 treys in 15 games as the starting shooting guard for New Jersey.
Feb. 8 - 10:43 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Andrea Bargnani (calf) is improving, but he remains out indefinitely.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Bargnani said that although his injury is getting better, he still hasn't run on it yet. Joining workouts is still "days away" for Bargs, who has missed the last seven straight games and doesn't sound close to a return. The Raptors are just 2-11 without him in the lineup.
Feb. 8 - 10:35 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rashard Lewis - F - Wizards </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Lewis (knee) remains sidelined on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">It's the second consecutive absence for Lewis, who has posted an unimpressive 8.6 points per game this season. Rookie Chris Singleton will get another start, but is averaging just 5.0 points in 22 minutes per game in his 10 starts.
Feb. 8 - 5:49 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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">Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said that Manu Ginobili (hand) is "likely" to return on Saturday against New Jersey.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Manu has played in just five games all season so there will probably be some rust, but he should quickly return to must-start status, possibly as soon as next week. He was averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.8 3s before the injury.
Feb. 8 - 5:46 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Kenyon Martin - F - Clippers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Kenyon Martin will make his debut for the Clippers Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">He's slated for around 15 minutes off the bench in his first Clippers appearance, but should eventually settle into a larger role than that as the first big man off the bench. However, with Blake Griffin averaging 31 minutes per game and DeAndre Jordan averaging 31, he's likely to eventually peak somewhere around 25 minutes per game.
Feb. 8 - 5:42 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Daniel Gibson - G - Cavaliers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Daniel Gibson (neck) is a game-time decision for Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">The Cavs tip off at 7 p.m. ET, so we should have an answer relatively soon. Gibson has missed five straight games due to the injury.
Feb. 8 - 5:23 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 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Mario Chalmers - G - Heat </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Mario Chalmers (hand) is not playing in Wednesday's game against the Magic.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Chalmers was able to play through his left hand injury (and scored 14 points) on Tuesday, but apparently the issue got worse overnight. Norris Cole is slated for a starting role on Wednesday, while Chalmers should be considered day-to-day until further notice.
Feb. 8 - 6:16 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 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 (foot) and Marcus Camby (illness) are both expected to play for the Blazers on Wednesday.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">If you have a choice and want to play them, it sounds like they are good to go.
Feb. 8 - 7:20 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

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

HacheMan · Feb 8, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Zach Randolph - F/C - Grizzlies </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Zach Randolph was seen shooting and warming up prior to Wednesday's game against the</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">This doesn't necessarily mean he's close to playing, but it is a good sign. But until we have an actual timetable on when he might play again, it's hard to recommend dropping a healthy and productive player in order to hold the mystery man.
Feb. 8 - 7:36 p.m. ET
</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: 3 Shades of Blue on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>