NBA News/Injury News 3/31 - 4/6/08

[Hache Man]

	Brand to make debut Thursday at Sacramento
	Elton Brand - F - LAC - Mar. 31 - 4:44 p.m. ET
	Elton Brand is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at Sacramento. "That’s coming from Coach (Mike Dunleavy) and J.P. (team athletic trainer Jasen Powell)," Brand said, following Monday’s morning shootaround. "I’ve got everyone on board now. They know that I’m healthy." Brand suffered a ruptured left Achilles’ tendon seven months ago, during an off-season workout. "I’ve had a long vacation," he said. Owners can expect his playing time to be somewhat limited, but he is reportedly in good enough shape to play extended minutes. Source: Orange County Register

[Hache Man]

	Jermaine O'Neal says he'll play on Monday
	Jermaine O'Neal - F/C - IND - Mar. 31 - 1:56 p.m. ET
	Jermaine O'Neal told the Pacers official website that he will play on Monday, though he will not start and his minutes will initially be held to around 20 per game. O'Neal reiterated that he won't be able to "score the way I want to" for some time, but he should immediately buoy the Pacers weak interior defense. He has missed 34 straight games, so expect plenty of rust -- it will also be interesting to see how his return affects Troy Murphy, who has been playing very well lately. Source: Indianapolis Star

[Hache Man]

	Okur 'possible,' Kirilenko 'questionable'
	Mehmet Okur - F/C - UTA - Mar. 31 - 3:36 p.m. ET
	Mehmet Okur (flu) and Andrei Kirilenko (calf) could play for the Jazz on Monday, while Ronnie Brewer (groin) will be a game-time decision. Although Okur is feeling better after his second bout with a stomach virus in the past few weeks, he might "possibly" play, Jazz spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said. In addition, Rinehart called Kirilenko "questionable" with a bruised calf and Brewer a "game-time decision." Okur sounds like the safest bet of the bunch, but it's possible all three could miss tonight's game. Source: utahjazz.com

[Hache Man]

	Andrew Bogut questionable w/ broken nose
	Andrew Bogut - F/C - MLW - Mar. 31 - 2:48 p.m. ET
	Bucks center Andrew Bogut is questionable for Tuesday's game after recently having surgery to repair his broken nose. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel lists Bogut as day-to-day on their "NBA injury" page, but they also state, "Milwaukee could choose to shut him down for the season as they look toward next year." It sounded as though Bogut would have played on Saturday if he weren't nauseas from anesthetics, so our best guess is that the odds of him shutting it down are slim, but you'll have to start him at your own risk. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

[Hache Man]

	Pau Gasol questionable for Wednesday's game
	Pau Gasol - F/C - LAK - Mar. 31 - 2:07 p.m. ET
	Pau Gasol's left ankle was still swollen on Sunday, leaving him questionable for Wednesday's game. Gasol was having trouble pushing off the foot, but is hopeful that he'll be able to return to action after missing nine straight games with the injury. Unfortunately, there is no further information and owners once again face a tricky decision when setting weekly lineups. Source: Los Angeles Times

[Hache Man]

	Gilbert Arenas targeting Wednesday for return
	Gilbert Arenas - G - WAS - Apr. 1 - 10:54 a.m. ET
	Gilbert Arenas (knee) will be re-evaluated by the Wizards' medical staff before Wednesday's home game, and hopes to return to action if he is medically cleared. As we have already seen, there is no guarantee that Wizards' trainers will give Gilbert the go-ahead. Even if he does play, he has previously stated that he'll come off the bench and play no more than 20 minutes per game, leaving his fantasy value in limbo. Source: Washington Post

[Hache Man]

	Wizards' Butler hopes to play Wednesday
	Caron Butler - G/F - WAS - Apr. 1
	Caron Butler (left hamstring strain) hopes to return to action when the Wizards host the Bucks on Wednesday. Butler was a surprise DNP on Monday after his hamstring tightened during overtime on Sunday. It didn't loosen Monday night, so the team held him out to avoid playing on back-to-back nights. "We're looking at taking 48 hours to give the muscle time to heal, and then I want to get back out there," Butler said. "This is a key stretch for us." Source: Washington Post

[Hache Man]

	Beno Udrih questionable for Tuesday's game
	Beno Udrih - G - SAC - Apr. 1 - 10:34 a.m. ET
	Beno Udrih is questionable for Tuesday's game because of lingering back pain, and Kings coach Reggie Theus isn't sure if his starting point guard will return this season. "I don't think anyone knows what's going on with [Udrih]," Theus said. The Kings coach praised fill-in starter Anthony Johnson, noting, "Defensively, [Johnson] is even better than Beno." Considering Udrih's failed comeback attempt, owners have little to be optimistic about -- check back later for possible updates. Source: sacramentokings.com

[Hache Man]

	Chris Kaman (ankle) leaves arena on crutches
	Chris Kaman - C - LAC - Apr. 1 - 11:25 a.m. ET
	Chris Kaman left the arena on crutches after spraining his ankle during Monday's game. There is no word on how long the injury will sideline him, so consider him day-to-day for now. There is already speculation that Kaman will shut it down for the rest of the season. He's battling back pain in addition to his sprained ankle and the Clippers have nothing to gain by playing him and risking further injury. Hopefully we'll get a positive update in the next day or two, but owners should start looking around for possible replacements. Source: Orange County Register

[Hache Man]

	Pau Gasol hopeful to return on Wednesday
	Pau Gasol - F/C - LAK - Apr. 1 - 11:17 a.m. ET
	Pau Gasol (sprained ankle) will practice with the Lakers on Tuesday in anticipation of returning for Wednesday's game against the Trailblazers. Owners should expect Gasol to play, as long as there are no setbacks at practice and he wakes up feeling fine on Wednesday. Check back for updates -- Ronny Turiaf's owners can use the next 24 hours to find his replacement.f Source: Los Angeles Daily News

[Hache Man]

	Kirilenko optimistic about playing Wednesday
	Andrei Kirilenko - F - UTA - Apr. 1
	Andrei Kirilenko (calf) missed his second straight game on Monday, but he feels that he might return to play on Wednesday against Minnesota. "I think next game," Kirilenko said about playing. His calf injury should give owners pause, but he should be reinserted into all fantasy lineups if his return is definite. Source: utahjazz.com

[Hache Man]

	Andrew Bogut to return for Tuesday's game
	Andrew Bogut - F/C - MLW - Apr. 1 - 12:16 p.m. ET
	The Bucks expect to have center Andrew Bogut (broken nose) back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Knicks. Bogut will wear a protective mask, which he is not fond of: "It's itchy and sweaty and (it affects) the peripheral vision." Inconvenienced or not, Bogut is a better option than any free agent centers and should be activated wherever possible. He might have even less competition than usual, as backup Jake Voskuhl is questionable with an ankle injury. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

[Hache Man]

	Marion may return, but doubtful on Wednesday
	Shawn Marion - F - MIA - Apr. 1 - 12:58 p.m. ET
	Heat coach Pat Riley said on Monday that both Shawn Marion (back) and Marcus Banks (hamstring) could return to action this week, though both players are doubtful for Wednesday's game. Understandably, Marion's owners can't take their eyes off the dangling carrot of his eventual return. If it hasn't led you off the fantasy cliff yet, you might as well hang in there and see what the new week brings. Source: Miami Herald

[Hache Man]

	Rip Hamilton iffy on Tuesday w/ hip injury
	Richard Hamilton - G - DET - Apr. 1 - 11:43 a.m. ET
	Rip Hamilton sat out the Pistons practice on Monday because of lingering pain in his strained hip. He is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves. Hamilton's injury might sideline him anyway, but coach Flip Saunders is going to start benching a few of his starters in games that aren't against possible playoff foes (the Wolves obviously fit the bill). With the Pistons cruising into the playoffs, Hamilton's owners should prepare themselves for numerous unannounced DNPs. Source: Detroit Free Press

[Hache Man]

	Butler likely, Arenas out for Wizards
	Caron Butler - G/F - WAS - Apr. 2 - 2:33 p.m. ET
	Caron Butler (hamstring) went through shootaround on Wednesday morning and is officially called a game time decision for tonight's game. The Washington Post's Ivan Carter says that Butler "sounded like a guy who is going to play," which is a great sign. Gilbert Arenas did not come to shootaround, will not play tonight and as of right now, there is no indication of when he will return. Antonio Daniels will return from a wrist injury tonight. Source: Washington Post

[Hache Man]

	Mavs say Dirk is out on Wednesday
	Dirk Nowitzki - F/C - DAL - Apr. 2 - 3:00 p.m. ET
	The Mavericks say they are planning to be without injured Dirk Nowitzki for Wednesday night’s crucial game against the Warriors, even after Nowtizki went through the morning shootaround. "Right now, we’re just going to play without him, and if something changes, we’ll go from there," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. He hasn't been ruled out and it's possible Johnson is bluffing. Consider Dirk a game-time decision with his injured knee and ankle, but it's really sounding like he won't play tonight. dallasmavericks.com

[Hache Man]

	Sheed, Pistons starters due back on Friday
	Rasheed Wallace - F/C - DET - Apr. 2 - 3:55 p.m. ET
	Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (if he's over his hip injury) are expected back for the Pistons on Friday after getting Tuesday night's game off. "We didn't want to shut guys down the last three games of the regular season," coach Flip Saunders said, adding that he didn't envision any starter missing more than two games before the end of the season. Billups, Hamilton and Wallace will have five days off before playing against New Jersey on Friday. Expect them to play on most nights, but also be ready for another surprise DNP or two. Source: Detroit News

[Hache Man]

	Kirilenko in, Brewer out for Jazz
	Andrei Kirilenko - F - UTA - Apr. 2 - 3:34 p.m. ET
	Andrei Kirilenko, who sat out Utah's past two games with a right calf strain, will be back in the lineup Wednesday night against the Timberwolves, but Ronnie Brewer will miss the game with his groin strain. Kirilenko's return means C.J. Miles, who scored a career high 29 points in Monday's win over Washington, will go back to the bench, while Ronnie Price will start for the second game in a row in place of Brewer. utahjazz.com

[Hache Man]

	Gibson in, Wallace out for Cleveland Tuesday
	Ben Wallace - C - CLE - Apr. 2 - 2:06 p.m. ET
	The Cavaliers will have guard Daniel Gibson available Wednesday against Charlotte, but forward Ben Wallace will likely miss his second straight game with a sore back. Coach Mike Brown said after today's shootaround that Gibson has recovered after being forced out of Sunday’s win over Philadelphia with recurring pain in his left ankle. But Brown added that he’s being cautious with Wallace, who has been cleared to return from back spasms. Brown said Wallace wants to play, but "I have veto power."

[Hache Man]

	Stackhouse to miss a week with groin injury
	Jerry Stackhouse - G/F - DAL - Apr. 2 - 3:03 p.m. ET
	Jerry Stackhouse's groin injury will keep him out for at least a week, Avery Johnson said Wednesday. Stackhouse had an MRI and we're hopeful he's not in your lineup this week. In fact, it's probably safe to cut him altogether. dallasmavericks.com

[Hache Man]

	Roy's MRI brings good news, could play Tues.
	Brandon Roy - G/F - POR - Apr. 3
	The results of an MRI performed on Brandon Roy's injured groin are in and they are positive: He has a strain, not a tear, and likely will do some running later in the week to gauge his progress and determine when -- and if -- he might return this season. "He's listed as day-to-day, so that's good news," coach Nate McMillan said. "Basically, when he feels good enough to start running and moving around and trying to get back to the floor, we'll know more. I don't expect (him) to do anything tomorrow...but we'll see if he can do some running in our two (off) days and that will give us a better idea." If you're desperate for a healthy player, you can still cut Roy. But it's probably best to just hang on until we see what happens, as he could play Tuesday against the Lakers. Source: The Oregonian

[Hache Man]

	Celtics' Big 3 on verge of getting days off
	Paul Pierce - G/F - BOS - Apr. 3 - 12:18 a.m. ET
	Before Wednesday's game, Doc Rivers said he would start resting his starters in the coming weeks, potentially keeping them out of some games just to keep them fresh. "It is all up to the coaches, and how they feel," said Paul Pierce. "I think I am at the point in my career where any rest I can get is good." If Rivers sits one of his players out for one game, the player could potentially get five days off (which is the same reason the Pistons' "Big 3" got Tuesday off). "One of the things I looked at, especially with the Big Three, is they didn’t have an All-Star break," said Rivers. "They really didn’t. So this might be it." Leon Powe, Tony Allen, Glen Davis and James Posey are all about to get some run, so start planning ahead now if your league is still going. Source: bostonceltics.ws

[Hache Man]

Beno Udrih - G - Kings

Kings point guard Beno Udrih will miss Thursday's game because of ongoing back problems.
This will be Udrih's eighth DNP in the last nine games. He still wants to return, but we're unconvinced that he'll even play again this season. Hang on to him at your own risk. Apr. 3 - 10:44 a.m. ET
Source: sacramentokings.com