FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Mike Bibby: Injures Thumb
Update: Bibby had X-rays on his left thumb which showed no damage after he left Wednesday's game in the fourth quarter, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Bibby missed Sacramento's first 36 games this season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in the thumb, so obviously this can't be taken lightly, but it appears as though he dodged a bullet here.
Andrew Bogut: Leaves Game After Getting Hit in Face
Update: Bogut left Wednesday's game with seven minutes left after getting hit in the face while going to the basket, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Bogut, who left the game with a bloodied face, ended up heading for the locker room. Unless we hear otherwise though, we'll assume that this won't affect his availability going forward.
Beno Udrih: Out Wednesday
Update: Udrih (back)will miss Wednesday's home game against Memphis, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: Anthony Johnson will likely start at point guard for the Kings.
Troy Murphy: Slowed by Strep Throat
Update: Murphy missed Wednesday's game because of strep throat, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Consider Murphy, who Shawne Williams replaced in the Pacers' starting lineup, day-to-day for now.
Hedo Turkoglu: MRI Reveals No Serious Injury
Update: Turkoglu is listed as day-to-day with a sprained wrist after an MRI on Wednesday revealed there were no broken bones or torn tendons.
Analysis: There is no timetable set for his return yet, but the fact there is no structural damage is a good sign. We will be monitoring his status and keep you updated on when you can expect him back in the lineup.
Nene Hilario: Could Play Thursday
Update: Nene (tumor) participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage in practice on Wednesday and expects to play on Thursday, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: "It's time to come back," he said following Wednesday's practice. He expects to play about five minutes against the Mavs on Thursday and his minutes will likely be limited for the time being.
Brandon Roy: Out At Least a Week
Update: Roy (groin) said he believes it could take at least a week or two to heal his strained right groin muscle, the Columbian reports.
Analysis: The good news is he seems optimistic he will play this season. The bad news is you must find a replacement for your fantasy lineup for the time being.
Chris Wilcox: Questionabel for Wednesday
Update: Wilcox (right pinkie sprain) is questionable for Wednesday's game, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: Wilcox, who has missed the past three games, will visit a hand specialist Wednesday.
Dirk Nowitzki: Will Miss Road Trip
Update: Nowitzki (ankle, knee) will not accompany the team on their upcoming three-game road trip, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: While Dallas has not said how long the high ankle sprain will keep Nowitzki out, there is optimism Dirk will return ahead of schedule. The Mavs unofficially expected Nowitzki to miss two weeks but have since ruled him out indefinitely. The reigning MVP has history of recovering faster than normal from these ankle injuries so continue to monitor his progress.
Luol Deng: Attacking The Rack
Update: After putting up a donut in the first half of Tuesday's win over the Hawks, Deng made a halftime adjustment to take the ball to the basket, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: Deng made a concentrated effort to attack the basket in the second half and erupted for 14 points. Relying too much on jump shots has caused Deng's field goal percentage and rebounds to drop this year. If he continues to take the ball to the rim, expect his numbers to approach last season's output.
Thabo Sefolosha: Groin Injury Continues To Limit Production
Update: Sefolosha will continue to be limited the rest of the season due to a groin injury, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: ''The groin's going to be a problem for Thabo, especially back-to-back games,'' Coach Jim Boylan said. With the Tuesday beginning a stretch of four games in five nights, expect Sefolosha to struggle to find enough time to rest his ailing groin. Sporadic minutes and production make him a risky play.
Pau Gasol: Will Not Return This Week
Update: Gasol (ankle) will not return for Wednesday's game against Charlotte and is doubtful for Friday against Memphis, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Gasol is reportedly still dealing with swelling in his sprained ankle, and his injury has not improved over the last few days. Still, we expect him to return sometime next week.
Maurice Evans: Season High in Assists
Update: Evans only scored three points but dished out a season-high seven assists in Orlando's loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.
Analysis: Evans is averaging 9.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 86 percent from the free throw line this month. Evans won't be a big contributor to any fantasy team, but he won't hurt your squad much either.
Carlos Arroyo: Big Minutes on Tuesday Night
Update: Arroyo played 28 minutes and scored 17 points in Orlando's loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.
Analysis: Jameer Nelson was forced to leave the game with a bruised jaw and Arroyo picked up the playing time in his place. Nelson's injury doesn't appear to be too serious, so don't expect Arroyo to steal as much of Nelson's playing time in the upcoming games.
Keyon Dooling: Increased Playing Time on Tuesday Night
Update: Dooling scored 19 points in 33 minutes of action in Orlando's loss to San Antonio on Tuesday night.
Analysis: Dooling saw extra playing time due to injuries suffered by Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu in the game. He had a solid all-around game, but don't expect Dooling's increased playing time to continue beyond Tuesday's game.
Rashard Lewis: Scores 24 in Loss to Spurs
Update: Lewis shot 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from behind the three point arc, and scored 24 points in Orlando's loss to San Antonio on Tuesday.
Analysis: Lewis also grabbed seven rebounds in the game. Lewis is averaging a season-high 18.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting an even 50 percent from the field this month.
Josh Childress: Leads Team in Scoring in Loss
Update: Childress had 22 points (8-of-11 FG, 1-of-1 3-PT, 5-of-5 FT) and three rebounds in the Hawks' loss to the Bulls on Tuesday.
Analysis: Childress hadn't been a part of the offense in his last two outings, and this up-and-down play has characterized his play of late.
Joe Johnson: Off Night in Loss
Update: Johnson had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Hawks' loss to the Bulls on Tuesday.
Analysis: Johnson was just 7-of-17 from the floor and missed all five of his 3-point attempts. Consider this just an off-night as Johnson has been red hot in March.
Sebastian Telfair: begins Light Shooting
Update: Telfair (ankle) did some light shooting on Tuesday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: It's the first sign of progress for Telfair, but there's no timetable for his return. Still, it sounds like he could return before the end of the regular season.
Nick Fazekas: A 10-Point Tuesday
Update: Fazekas scored 10 points in 16 minutes during the Clippers' 103-90 loss at Dallas Tuesday night.
Analysis: Fazekas, averaging 17.0 minutes the past three games, is benefiting from Los Angeles' current dearth of big men. Center Chris Kaman, out with a back problem, and power forward Elton Brand, out with an Achilles injury, are slated to return soon, so Fazekas will probably be relegated to garbage time down the road.
Kenny Thomas: Might Not See the Court
Update: Thomas (foot) has not played since Jan. 2.
Analysis: The veteran forward has been inactive for most of the latter half of 2007-08, and that was when he was healthy. Currently, he is hobbled by a sore right foot, lowering his chances of playing the remainder of the season.
Beno Udrih: Cloudy Status
Update: Udrih, questionable with back spasms Wednesday versus Memphis, recently said he isn't sure whether he will sign with Sacramento beyond this season, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "We'll see," said Udrih, who signed a one-year contract with the Kings in 2007-08. "It's too early to say I have seriously no clue. The season is still going, so we'll talk about it later." The fourth-year point guard will be a hot commodity on the free agent market this summer. He wants to know his future before July 7, so he can play for the Slovenian national squad. Teams can begin negotiating with free agents July 1.
Michael Finley: Season-High in Win
Update: Finley had a season-high 24 points in the Spurs' win over the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: This has been a difficult season for Finley, as he has shot just 39 percent from the floor. However, Finley has been known to get hot, and the Spurs will need this if they are to make a deep playoff run.
Manu Ginobili: Leads Spurs To Win
Update: Ginobili had 28 points (10-of-19 FG, 1-of-5 3-PT, 7-of-7 FT) and five assists in the Spurs' win over the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Ginobili has caught fire in the last two games as he is averaging 27 points a game while going 18-of-18 from the line. Ginobili is being more aggressive and this will need to continue if the Spurs hope to get home court advantage in the playoffs.
Tim Duncan: Better From The Floor
Update: Duncan had 19 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks in the Spurs' win over the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Duncan was a very efficient 7-of-10 from the floor and continues to shoot well from the line as he was 5-of-6. Duncan hopes to get out of a month long shooting funk that has his percentage for the season at just below 50 percent.
Emeka Okafor: On A Bad Roll
Update: Okafor failed to reach double-figures in points or rebounds for the fourth consecutive game Tuesday night in a loss to the Jazz.
Analysis: Okafor has 20 points and 19 rebounds in the last four games and hasn't played more than 27 minutes in any of them. At this stage of his career, he shouldn't be hitting any walls. And there's been no discussion of an injury. Just bide your time and hope he regains the double-double form he's averaged for his career.
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