NBA Player News

Saturday, November 7

• 11/07/09 - 2:16PM ETTayshaun Prince : (Back) Out Indefinitely

  Prince has a small rupture of a lower-back disc and will be out of the Pistons' lineup indefinitely, the Associated Press reports.

  The ruptured disc was discovered during an MRI taken Saturday, after Prince missed the Pistons last two games due to back pain. The Pistons haven't said much about the injury other than that Prince will continue to receive treatment. Expect some sort of timetable for his return to be announced later this week.

• 11/07/09 - 7:54AM ETTony Parker : (Ankle) Out a Week

  Parker sprained his ankle in Friday's loss to Portland, but says it's not as serious as others he's suffered in his career, the San Antonio Express-News reports. "This one is not even close," Parker said. "It will be a week, maybe."

  Parker injured his ankle on a drive late in the first half. He'll be re-evaluated Saturday, but initial X-rays after the game were negative. If his prognosis is accurate, he'll likely miss games on Monday and Wednesday, with a chance to return next Saturday against Oklahoma City. George Hill will start in his place.

Friday, November 6

• 11/06/09 - 3:30PM ETKevin Martin : Opts for Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks

  Martin will undergo surgery on Monday to fix a hairline fracture in his left wrist, the Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick reports.. He'll miss six to eight weeks with the injury.

  Martin's injury leave the Kings' backcourt exceptionally thin. Coach Paul Westphal will start Beno Udrih in Martin's place.

• 11/06/09 - 3:09PM ETTyrus Thomas : Broken Arm, Out 4-6 Weeks

  X-rays taken Friday revealed Thomas has a broken arm and will likely miss four to six weeks, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

  Thomas was off to a relatively slow start to the season, averaging just eight points, five boards, and 21 minutes in his first four games while battling the flu. Look for Taj Gibson to assume a starting role while Thomas is out of the lineup.

• 11/06/09 - 1:54PM ETDrew Gooden : (Ribs) Won't Play Saturday

  Gooden (ribs) will not suit up when Dallas hosts Toronto on Saturday night, the Dallas Morning News reports.

  Gooden has missed three straight games after straining a muscle in his rib cage. Erick Dampier has played well in his absence and may have claimed the starting role outright.

• 11/06/09 - 1:10PM ETPau Gasol : (Hamstring) Out Friday

  Gasol (hamstring) is remains out of commission for Friday's game with Memphis, the L.A. Times reports.

  The All-Star did work out Thursday, but does not feel comfortable enough with his strained hamstring.

• 11/06/09 - 1:06PM ETAndrew Bynum : (Elbow) Out Friday

  Bynum (elbow) told reporters that he will not play Friday against Memphis, the L.A. Times reports.

  For now the injury seems minor enough to keep Bynum off the floor for a short period of time.

• 11/06/09 - 11:44AM ETKevin Martin : (Wrist) Could Miss 6-8 Weeks

  Martin (wrist) is scheduled to discuss his injury with doctors and a local hand specialist on Friday, but the options presented to him will likely involve missing six to eight weeks, the Sacramento Bee reports.

  If the decision was completely up to Martin, he would probably continue to play through the fracture like he did on Wednesday. But the medical opinions will likely disagree, recommending that Martin either puts his wrist in a cast or undergoes surgery, both of which would keep him out at least six weeks. His absence will require a lineup shuffle, which may include sliding Tyreke Evans to shooting guard and having Beno Udrih run the point.

• 11/06/09 - 9:48AM ETNick Young : Slated for Start at SG

  Young will start at shooting guard in place of the injured Mike Miller on Friday, Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports.

  Young is surprisingly getting the starting nod over Deshawn Stevenson and Randy Foye. His fantasy stock rises temporarily while Miller is out, and this gives Young an opportunity to leapfrog Stevens in the rotation.

• 11/06/09 - 8:22AM ETRichard Hamilton : (Ankle) Still Sidelined

  Hamilton (ankle) has been ruled out of Friday's tilt against the Magic, the Detroit Free Press reports.

  Friday marks the fifth consecutive game Hamilton will miss with his sprained ankle. Rip remains day-to-day, so continue to check on his status before committing him to your lineup.

• 11/06/09 - 8:17AM ETTayshaun Prince : (Back) Out Friday

  Prince (back) will not play in Friday's contest against Orlando, the Detroit Free Press reports.

  This will mark the third straight game Prince has sat with a lower back strain. He'll be re-evaluated when the team returns to Detroit on Saturday, making a Sunday return possible if all goes well.

• 11/06/09 - 8:13AM ETTroy Murphy : Doubtful for Friday

  Murphy (back) is doubtful to play in Friday's game against the Heat due to a bruised lower back, the Miami Herald reports.

  He missed Wednesday's game with the ailment, so don't count on him playing on Friday.

• 11/06/09 - 7:28AM ETVince Carter : Not Expected to Play on Friday

  Head coach Stan Van Gundy said he does not expect Carter (ankle) to play in Friday night's game against the Pistons, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

  Carter missed Wednesday's game against the Suns after aggravating his injury in Tuesday night's game with Detroit. Make sure to check the starting lineups just in case Carter plays, but expect J.J. Redick to start again at shooting guard.

• 11/06/09 - 4:48AM ETDaequan Cook : Questionable for Friday

  Cook (shoulder) is questionable for Friday's game against Denver, the Miami Herald reports.

  Cook has missed three straight games because of the injury, and the Heat are growing a bit concerned. Quentin Richardson has seen an uptick in playing time as a result.

• 11/06/09 - 1:34AM ETAndris Biedrins : Sore Back

  Biedrins' playing status is 50-50 for Friday's game against the Clippers due to a sore back, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Biedrins, who strained his back in Wednesday's game against Memphis, said the injury isn't serious but could keep him out of Friday's game. Mikki Moore will get the start at center if Biedrins can't go.

Thursday, November 5

• 11/05/09 - 3:56PM ETKevin Martin : Hairline Fracture in Wrist

  An MRI on Martin's left wrist Thursday revealed a non-displaced hairline fracture, the Associated Press reports. Treatment options are still being evaluated.

  Martin didn't seem hindered by the injury on Wednesday night, finishing with 29 points and 11 rebounds, but it's possible that team doctors will recommend he takes some time off. Once the Kings announce a timetable, we'll have it for you.

• 11/05/09 - 1:36PM ETAndrew Bynum : Doubtful For Friday With Sprained Elbow

  An MRI showed Bynum has a strained right elbow, the team's official web site reports. He's doubtful for Friday's game against Memphis.

  It looks like he avoided a serious injury from the end of Wednesday's game, but may need to miss a game or two.

• 11/05/09 - 1:17PM ETDesmond Mason : Waived by Kings

  Mason was waived by the Kings on Thursday, the Kings' official site reports.

  The Kings replaced Mason in the starting lineup with Andres Nocioni Wednesday night and signed Ime Udoka on Thursday. Mason struggled to find his groove, and the signing of Udoka made him more than expendable. He could be claimed off waivers by another team, but it's unlikely he'll go anywhere that increases his fantasy value.

• 11/05/09 - 1:09PM ETChris Douglas-Roberts : (Flu) Doubtful for Friday

  Douglas-Roberts (flu) did not join the Nets as they left for Philadelphia Thursday, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

  It hasn't been confirmed that CDR is out, but this obviously isn't a good sign. The Star-Ledger is assuming he is out and that Terrence Williams will start in his place.

• 11/05/09 - 1:03PM ETDevin Harris : (Groin) Out Another 2-4 Weeks

  Harris (groin) told the Newark Star-Ledger he will likely miss 2-4 weeks.

  The initial prognosis was simply too optimistic. Harris implied that he doesn't want to return unless he's completely healthy, so Harris owners might want to plan from this point as if it will be closer to four weeks.

• 11/05/09 - 12:33PM ETTyrus Thomas : (Illness) Might Play Thursday

  Thomas (illness) will be in Cleveland with his Bulls teammates after all and said he's going to try to play Thursday, the Chicago Tribune reports.

  Thomas missed Tuesday's home game and Wednesday's practice with the flu. Coach Vinny Del Negro had said there was a small chance Thomas would meet the team in Cleveland, but most people considered that chance remote. In addition, there are other behind the scenes issues with Thomas, related to playing time and effort, that may have factored into him being sent home from practice, but it looks like he will suit up Thursday. However, look for Taj Gibson to likely start again.

• 11/05/09 - 9:29AM ETAndres Nocioni : Arrested for Suspected DUI

  Nocioni was arrested on Thursday morning for suspicion of drunken driving, the Sacramento Bee reports.

  Nocioni earned his first start of the season Wednesday night, and his fantasy prospects were improving. However, this incident and the signing of Ime Udoka this morning could sorely hurt his fantasy stock.

• 11/05/09 - 9:26AM ETPau Gasol : Nears Return

  Doctors have cleared Gasol (hamstring) to resume basketball activities, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

  Gasol is expected to return to practice on Thursday; and if all goes well, he could make his season debut against the Grizzlies on Friday. It will take Gasol a little while to get back into game shape, but it looks like fantasy owners will at least be able to reap some production from Gasol very soon.

• 11/05/09 - 8:40AM ETVince Carter : Game-Time Decision for Friday

  Carter (ankle) will be a game-time decision when the Magic take on the Pistons on Friday night, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

  Carter has missed two of the last three games with his ankle injury. If Carter is unable to play, J.J. Redick will likely remain in the starting lineup in his place.

• 11/05/09 - 8:23AM ETRichard Hamilton : Travels With Pistons

  Hamilton (ankle) is traveling with the team on their current two-game road trip, but was still wearing a walking boot on Wednesday, the Detroit Free Press reports.

  If the Pistons had completely ruled out Hamilton from playing on the two-game trip, he likely would have stayed behind in Detroit, but the walking boot casts doubts on his availability for Friday's tilt against the Magic. Hamilton will probably test out the ankle prior to Friday's game, so we should have a better grasp on his availability before tip-off.

• 11/05/09 - 5:53AM ETAllen Iverson : Not Pleased With Bench Role

  Iverson reiterated his unhappiness with his bench role after Wednesday's loss to the Warriors, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

  Coach Lionel Hollins must have anticipated this, as he said before the game that Iverson would remain the team's third guard behind Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. Iverson outscored both of the younger players 18 to eight and 14 respectively, so it's hard to imagine Iverson not starting at some point. But he would probably land back on the bench if/when the team goes into rebuilding mode.