FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Ronnie Price: Returns to Action
Update: Price (sprained ankle) returned to action Thursday, playing six minutes off the bench in Utah's loss to Denver.
Analysis: Price, who had missed four games with the injury, did not score a point, missing all three of his shots from the floor.
Jamal Crawford: More Ball Handling
Update: With news that Stephon Marbury (ankle surgery) will be out indefinitely, Crawford is expected to handle a lot of New York's point guard duties.
Analysis: Crawford, who averages over 40 minutes a night, will continue to see big minutes as a combo guard for the Knicks. As Marbury has been dealing with a variety of issues -- not only injuries -- this season, Crawford is averaging 4.6 assists per game.
Stephon Marbury: Will Have Ankle Surgery
Update: Marbury will undergo surgery next Tuesday on his left ankle and is out indefinitely, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Marbury, who has missed three games because of his ankle injury, said on Wednesday he would try to return this season. Fred Jones has been starting during Marbury's latest absence, while Jamal Crawford has been handling a lot of the point guard duties.
Shannon Brown: Back With Cavs
Update: The Cavaliers have recalled Brown from Rio Grande Valley of the D-League.
Analysis: Brown returns after a stint with Rio Grande that allowed him to participate in the D-League Showcase in Boise, where all the teams gather to play for a large group of NBA scouts.
Ronnie Price: Game-Time Decision Thursday
Update: Price, who has missed four games since spraining his left ankle in practice last week, will be a game-time decision for Thursday night's game against Denver, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: Price remains day-to-day with the injury.
Nene Hilario: Tumor Benign
Update: The tumor removed from Nene on Monday was found to be benign, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: A statement posted on Nene's website Thursday said, "The joint medical team handling Nene's health has just released the results of the biopsy. According to reports presented by doctors, the exams show that the tumor is benign." This is great news for a guy who's undoubtedly suffered enough the last three years with torn knee and thumb ligaments only to have a testicular tumor found. There are still no definitive timetable for his return but that should be resolved during the next few days as Nene, his doctors and the Nuggets' training staff sit down to discuss his future. Our best guess is he'll return sometime this season but even that is not a given.
Chris Bosh: Nearly Perfect Shooting Night Wednesday
Update: Bosh scored 31 points, shooting 11-for-12 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line, while adding nine rebounds and three steals in Wednesday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: The Raptors offense was flowing Wednesday, resulting in open looks and easy baskets for just about everyone (the team shot 52.4% on the night), but Bosh took the biggest advantage.
Jamaal Tinsley: Wednesday Absence Reportedly Due to Suspension
Update: The Pacers reportedly suspended Tinsley for Wednesday night's game against Golden State following an incident during a Tuesday film session, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The length of Tinsley's suspension is uncertain, but it seems pretty clear that it was not a knee issue that landed him on the sideline Wednesday, as had been reported earlier. More as we know it.
Rodney Stuckey: Increased Minutes
Update: With Aaron Afflalo now temporarily out of the rotation, Stuckey is now the only guard off getting significant minutes off the bench, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: The Pistons have shortened their bench to just Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, and Jarvis Hayes, though the rest of the crew should see a little time in blowouts. Stuckey played a season-high 25 minutes Tuesday and may be on the verge of getting even more.
Brent Barry: Active For Thursday
Update: Barry, the latest Spurs player to hit the injury list, is expected to be activated for Thursday's game against Cleveland after missing the past nine with a torn muscle in his left calf, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: This should help the Spurs, as they have been struggling from the 3-point line, and should not affect the only three relevant fantasy players on the roster: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Emmanuel Ginobili.
Joe Johnson: Tough Night From the Floor
Update: Johnson had just 12 points (4-of-16 FG, 1-of-5 3-PT, 3-of-4 FT), seven rebounds and two steals in the Hawks' loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson is prone to some rough shooting nights, especially on the second night of back-to-back games. Johnson plays so many minutes that he gets worn down. With Johnson getting a day of rest, look for a better performance on Friday.
Marvin Williams: Another Solid Outing
Update: Williams had 22 points (6-of-13 FG, 10-of-11 FT), six rebounds, two steals and a block in the Hawks' loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Williams is one of the most consistent players in the NBA, and is a decent, but not great fantasy player. You get good shooting percentages, decent scoring and rebounding numbers with occasional help in the block and steal category.
Damien Wilkins: Scoreless, Again
Update: Wilkins, who played just five seconds Monday, was scoreless in 21 minutes Wednesday.
Analysis: Wilkins has not scored in four of his last seven games. He lost his starting job to Jeff Green, as well. But Delonte West is injured, and if he misses significant time Wilkins could benefit. Don't get too excited, though.
Delonte West: Out with Foot Injury
Update: West's plantar fasciitis flared up and he was unavailable to play Wednesday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: West will have an MRI on the right foot and could be out an extended period if it reveals a partial or complete tear. West missed nine games in December with the injury.
Hedo Turkoglu: Struggling From the Field
Update: Turkoglu scored 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting in Orlando's loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Turkoglu has hit his first rough stretch of the season. He hasn't shot better than 40 percent in any of his last four games and is only averaging 10.5 points per game over that span. He's been too good to put on the bench, so keep playing him and hope that he comes out of his shooting slump sooner rather than later.
Rashard Lewis: Play Improving
Update: Lewis (neck) scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Orlando's loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Wednesday's game was the first time in the last six games that Lewis failed to break the 20 point mark. Lewis is shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from the three point line in January, his highest monthly averages this season. With the increase in percentages, it's no coincidence that he's also averaging a season-high 20 points per game this month.
Jameer Nelson: Rough Game on Wednesday Night
Update: Nelson had a difficult game Wednesday night, scoring two points in only 15 minutes of action in Orlando's loss to Charlotte.
Analysis: Meanwhile, Carlos Arroyo played 32 minutes and scored 17 points in the game. Though Nelson is again the starter, he's doing little to ensure that he keeps that position for the rest of the season.
Maurice Evans: Solid Numbers as a Starter
Update: Evans scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in Orlando's loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Evans has scored in double figures in four of the last five games and is averaging 11.6 points per game as a starter. He's played at least 24 minutes in every game he's started and is a good option for fantasy owners looking to make a roster move.
Dwight Howard: 20-20 Effort Wednesday Night
Update: Howard scored 24 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in Orlando's loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Howard only had one block in the game and has had more than two in only one game so far this month. However, it looks like Howard's scoring input is returning to normal as he's now scored at least 20 points in four of his last six games.
Leon Powe: Misses Game Due to Birth of Son
Update: Powe missed Wednesday's game due to the birth of his son, according to the Boston Globe.
Analysis: Congratulations go out to Powe, who has played double-digit minutes just once this season.
Rajon Rondo: MRI on Back Negative
Update: An MRI on Rondo's back was negative, according to the Boston Globe.
Analysis: Rondo reportedly worsened his back injury playing 21 minutes against Washington on Monday, to the point that team officials have told him not to return "until he's ready to play." Rondo hopes to return for Friday's game against Philadelphia, but would certainly be limited if he did appear in that contest.
Nene Hilario: Initial Biopsy Reports Favorable
Update: Nene (tumor) was released from the hospital on Wednesday and initial reports on the biopsy of his testicular tumor were encouraging, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: More biopsies are to come but for now it's looking more and more like the tumor was not malignant. That is backed up by Nene's release from the hospital because if the cells were cancerous or initial results came back positive it's likely the 6'11" PF would be prepping for chemotherapy right now. There is still no word on how long Nene will remain out but general speculation is one month if the tumor proves to be benign.
Vladimir Radmanovic: Undergoes MRI on Ankle
Update: Radmanovic had an MRI exam Wednesday on his sprained right ankle, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Radmanovic has missed seven games with the injury, and is expected to miss at least a few more, barring the results of the MRI.
Eduardo Najera: Questionable for Thursday
Update: Najera (elbow) who played on Tuesday remains questionable for Thursday's game against Utah, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Najera could barely lift his arm on Tuesday but was forced into service because of injuries to Kenyon Martin and Nene. Both of those players will once again be out on Thursday so it's likely Najera will play as long as he can run up and down the court. However, don't expect big numbers from him as he's clearly playing with just one arm right now.
Nick Fazekas: Playing Well in D-League
Update: Fazekas is averaging 18 points and nine rebounds per game in the D-League.
Analysis: The Mavs have little need for Fazekas right now, with the surprising play of Brandon Bass and the veteran presence of Juwan Howard. However, we expect Fazekas to eventually fill the Keith Van Horn/Austin Croshere Memorial role of Dirk Nowitzki's backup.
Kenyon Martin: Will Not Play Thursday
Update: Martin (staph infection) will not play in Thursday's game against Utah as he continues to get treatment for a staph infection, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: This must be one heck of a staph infection. Martin was limping around the Pepsi Center on Wednesday and said he would visit the doctor again on Friday leaving his status for Saturday's game very much in the air.
Paul Pierce: Struggles From Field in Win
Update: Pierce had 12 points on 3-11 shooting in the Celtics' 100-90 win over the Blazers on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Pierce missed all three of the three-pointers he attempted on Wednesday, and is shooting only 22% from three in his last five games.
Kevin Garnett: Scores 26 Against Blazers
Update: Garnett had 26 points and seven rebounds in the Celtics' 100-90 win over the Blazers on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Garnett has really picked up his scoring in January, averaging 22.0 points per game. He has however averaged only 7.5 rebounds per game in eight January games, dropping his season average below 10 per game.
Eddie House: Scores 10 As Starter
Update: House started Wednesday night for Rajon Rondo (back) and had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in the Celtics' 100-90 win over the Blazers.
Analysis: House seemed much more comfortable at the point than regular fill-in Tony Allen, and we now expect House, and not Allen, to be the spot-starter at both guard positions when one of the C's starting guards is hurt.
Antoine Wright: Sits Out Wednesday Night
Update: Wright sat out Wednesday night's loss to New York because of a sore right ankle.
Analysis: Wright, who had been back for three games after missing eight because of the ankle, was questionable coming into the the game against New York.
Marcus Williams: Discomfort in Foot
Update: Williams felt some discomfort in his foot and did not play in Wednesday night's loss to the Knicks, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Williams irritated the foot he had broken during the preseason while performing conditioning workouts. "After working out at shootaround he felt a little discomfort in his foot," coach Lawrence Frank said. The Nets are off until Saturday when they begin a six-game road trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
Ricky Davis: Comes off Bench
Update: Davis, who had been starting while Dorell Wright was felled by an ankle injury, returned to the bench Wednesday night in Miami's loss to Chicago.
Analysis: Wright returned to game action in Miami's previous game, but had come off the bench in that one. On Wednesday, Wright was back in the starting lineup. Both Wright and Davis were non-factors in the Heat's 30-point loss to the Bulls. Wright had four points in 26 minutes, while Davis had five points, three turnovers and five fouls in 26 minutes.
Dorell Wright: Starts Wednesday
Update: Wright was back in the starting lineup Wednesday night for Miami, scoring four points on 2-of-8 shooting with four rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot in 26 minutes in the Heat's loss to the Bulls.
Analysis: Wright had returned to game action in Miami's previous game, after missing five games due to an ankle injury. With Shaquille O'Neal (hip) coming back Wednesday, much was made of the Heat having their starting lineup and top-nine members of the rotation available, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 30-point loss to Chicago. Ricky Davis, who had been starting at small forward while Wright was out, scored five points in 26 minutes off the bench.
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