NBA Player News

Sunday, April 28

• 04/28/13 - 12:24PM ETJeremy Lin : (Chest) Game-Time Decision Monday

  Lin (chest) will be a game-time decision for Monday's Game 4 against Oklahoma City.

  Lin was also questionable heading into Game 3 on Saturday, when he logged an ineffective 18 minutes with two points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one assist. Those numbers are well off his season averages -- 13.4 points (on 44.1 percent shooting) and 6.1 dimes -- so he's clearly hindered by the chest contusion. His absence means more ball-handling responsibilities for James Harden and a likely start for Patrick Beverley, if Saturday's events foretell Monday's contest. In the meantime, consider Lin day-to-day.

• 04/28/13 - 12:12PM ETDwyane Wade : (Knee) Out Sunday

  Wade (knee) will not take the court for Sunday's Game 4 at Milwaukee, the Palm Beach Post reports.

  The Heat will be without Wade's services, as they attempt to put the finishing touches on a first-round series sweep of the Bucks. In his absence, Mike Miller will start at two-guard, but the key thing to take away is that Miami desires keeping its second-best player intact as the playoffs continue, even at the expense of a potential defeat with Milwaukee making its last stand of the season. In any case, consider Wade day-to-day and not worse for wear if his teammates can finish off the Bucks.

• 04/28/13 - 11:26AM ETDwyane Wade : (Knee) Game-Time Call Sunday

  Wade is a game-time call for Sunday's Game 4 at Milwaukee, the Palm Beach Post reports.

  Coach Erik Spoelstra said that Wade will receive treatment heading into the 3:30 PM ET tip, at which point an informed decision will be made. If Wade misses the outing, Ray Allen and Mike Miller will man the shooting guard spot for the Heat on Sunday. Nevertheless, consider Wade day-to-day for the time being.

• 04/28/13 - 10:03AM ETPau Gasol : Torn Ligament in Finger

  Gasol said Saturday that he suffered a torn ligament in his right middle finger during Friday's Game 3 defeat to San Antonio, the Orange County Register reports.

  In Game 4 on Sunday, Gasol intends to don a split on the appendage and play through the injury, but considering the forward is right-handed, it seems inevitable that his shot will suffer in some way, shape, or form, despite his poor 42.5 percent from the field in the series. Over the first three contests, he's posted 13.3 points, 12.7 boards, 6.7 assists, and 0.7 steals in 37 minutes per tilt, so he should be able to contribute in other facets of the game.

• 04/28/13 - 9:18AM ETJason Terry : Back to the Bench Sunday

  Terry will return to a reserve role for Sunday's Game 4 versus the Knicks, giving way to Brandon Bass, who started Games 1 and 2, NBA.com reports.

  Terry posted his highest scoring performance of the series in Game 3, but it wasn't enough as the Celtics fell down 0-3. Over the series' three outings, he's averaging 7.7 points (on 31.8 percent shooting), two three-pointers, 1.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in 29.7 minutes. Even off the bench, he should earn similar run, though what he does with the minutes is up in the air.

• 04/28/13 - 8:10AM ETKirk Hinrich : MRI on Calf Saturday

  Hinrich had an MRI performed on his left calf after Saturday's Game 3 win over Brooklyn, the Chicago Tribune reports. The results of the test are unknown, but he said afterward that the malady "is pretty bad."

  Hinrich committed his fifth foul of the Bulls' eventual triple-overtime win with just under six minutes remaining in regulation but never left the game thereafter. Overall, he recorded 18 points (7-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 14 assists, four rebounds, three steals, and one block in a whopping 60 minutes. While the Bulls are just one victory short of putting the Nets away, they may in fact be without Hinrich, if the injury is as serious as he believes. Nevertheless, consider him day-to-day in the interim.

Saturday, April 27

• 04/27/13 - 6:38PM ETJ.R. Smith : Suspended One Game

  Smith has been suspended one game for throwing an elbow at Jason Terry in Game 3 against the Celtics, ESPN.com reports.

  Smith will miss a potential closeout Game 4 at Boston on Sunday. Look for Jason Kidd, Steve Novak, or Chris Copeland to possibly take some of his minutes while he serves his suspension.

• 04/27/13 - 6:12PM ETJeremy Lin : (Chest) Active Saturday

  Lin (chest) will be active to play Saturday in Game 3 against the Thunder.

  Lin appeared to be hurt but will try to play Saturday. He is likely to have limited minutes, however.

• 04/27/13 - 3:14PM ETNate Robinson : Scores 34 Sensational Points

  Robinson had 34 points (14-23 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), including 24 points in the fourth quarter, to help the Bulls win in triple-overtime Saturday against the Nets. Robinson fouled out in the second overtime.

  Robinson completely took over the Chicago offense and helped the Bulls overcome a 12-point deficit with four minutes remaining in regulation. He hit a variety of very difficult shots. The 5-9 guard scored one fewer point in Game 4 than he did in his first three games in the series.

• 04/27/13 - 1:23PM ETSteve Nash : (Back) Out Sunday

  Nash (back) is out Sunday against the Spurs, TWC SportsNet reports.

  This does not come as a surprise considering he sat out for Game 3. He has averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds so far during the playoffs. This is another massive hit to an injury plagued Lakers' team.

• 04/27/13 - 1:18PM ETMetta World Peace : (Knee) Out For Sunday's Game 4

  World Peace (knee) is out Sunday against the Spurs, TWC SportsNet reports.

  World Peace was held to zero points over 17 minutes Friday so this does not come as a surprise. Up to this point, has averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds during the 2012-13 postseason. Earl Clark will start in his place.

• 04/27/13 - 11:51AM ETRussell Westbrook : (Knee) Ruled Out For Playoffs

  Westbrook (knee) underwent surgery on his torn meniscus Saturday and is ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, CBS Sports reports.

  Although the Lakers' Metta World Peace was luckily and surprisingly able to return to the court after two weeks following the same injury, Westbrook will not be able to participate in the rest of the playoffs. Doctors decided to repair his meniscus instead of removing it. Although this requires longer recovery time, it is usually a better long-term solution. The Thunder will have to rely on the offensive prowess of Kevin Durant to carry them in the playoffs.

• 04/27/13 - 8:27AM ETJeremy Lin : (Chest) Game-Time Decision Saturday

  Lin (chest) participated in morning shootaround but remains a game-time call for Saturday's game against Oklahoma City, the Houston Chronicle reports.

  Lin sustained a chest contusion during Wednesday's Game 2, which may result in Patrick Beverley earning ample minutes, or even the start, at point guard Saturday. After logging just 20 minutes Wednesday, it's difficult to project a massive workload, even if Lin is cleared to take the court.

Friday, April 26

• 04/26/13 - 7:18PM ETStephen Curry : (Ankle) Will Start Game 3

  Curry (ankle) is starting Game 3 against the Nuggets on Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

  Curry has been excellent to start this series, and if his ankle holds up it could be another big game for him.

• 04/26/13 - 6:25PM ETKenneth Faried : (Ankle) Starting Friday

  Faried (ankle) will start Game 3 against the Warriors on Friday.

  Faried missed Game 1 and played 21 minutes off the bench in Game 2. Expect him to get closer to his usual impact in this game.

• 04/26/13 - 6:06PM ETSteve Nash : (Hamstring) Out For Game 3

  Nash (hamstring) will miss Game 3 against the Spurs on Friday, the San Antonio Express-News reports.

  Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris are starting in the backcourt for the Lakers. This does not bode well for anybody.

• 04/26/13 - 9:50AM ETRussell Westbrook : Torn Meniscus

  Westbrook will undergo surgery for a meniscus tear in his right knee, CBSSports.com reports.

  Westbrook hurt his knee during Wednesday's game against the Rockets, but he was able to play through the injury, so it's surprising that it is requiring surgery. Typical recovery time for a torn meniscus can extend to 6-8 weeks, but the Lakers Metta World Peace was able to return to action less than two weeks after his surgery for the same injury earlier this season. In any case, consider Westbrook out indefinitely with a return during the playoffs up in the air.