Following a two-week hiatus due to a bruised knee, Omri Casspi was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s contest against the Miami Heat after completing his first full practice with the team since his injury.
“Hopefully he won’t have any reaction tonight and he’ll be able to go tomorrow,” said Kings Head Coach Tyrone Corbin. “We’re going to need him. Especially if Rudy isn’t able to go and even if Rudy plays, we’ll need him to come in and give us great minutes.”
With Rudy Gay sidelined against Dallas after suffering a knee capsule sprain, Casspi’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the purple and black.
“It’s been two long weeks, but I’m feeling better,” No. 18 told the media after an extended shooting routine following practice.
“If there aren’t any setbacks tomorrow, hopefully it’s behind me and I’m ready to go.”
For nearly a month, the Israel native has been battling with the nagging knee injury that gave him problems with everything from running and jumping to going up the stairs or even laying on the couch.
“It just hurt,” he admitted. “There was inflammation under the bone, so you couldn’t really get to it (to treat it). I took some anti-inflammatory medication for almost ten days and slowly every day it got better.”
In an attempt at an earlier return, Casspi played two games in Brooklyn and Boston, but felt the effects and after consulting the team physicians and trainers, decided not to push it.
“I wanted to be out there to help my team compete and win basketball games,” said Casspi.
The sixth-year pro says the injury may have limited him previously, but now that he’s back it won’t affect his game.
“I always play the same way,” Casspi confessed. “Whether I’m coming off the bench or whatever Coach wants me to do. I play the same way − be aggressive, cut, defend, run the floor, just play basketball. That’s what I do.”
Casspi is averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebound and 1.4 assists per game this season, but hasn’t played since Dec. 31 at Boston. His relentless energy and up-tempo play will give the Kings a much-needed boost heading into tomorrow’s contest.
Rudy: Day-to-Day
According to Coach Corbin, Rudy Gay remains day-to-day, but is listed as doubtful in the team’s injury report. No. 8 injured his knee against Dallas in the first quarter and did not return.
“The MRI was the night after the game − there’s no damage (to the knee), but he did have a strain,” said Corbin. “He’s day-to-day. He didn’t go through practice today, so tomorrow’s not looking great. So we’ll see how he’s feeling.”