News: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said G
Derrick Rose (back) will not play in Tuesday's game against Sacramento, the
Chicago Tribune reports. Rose, who has been dealing with lower back spasms, did not participate in the team's morning shootaround and will miss his third consecutive game. The 23-year-old was also sidelined for five outings with turf tie earlier this season, but he is still averaging 22.0 points per game. "Each day he's feeling better but it's still not where we want it to be," Thibodeau said of Rose's sore back. "We're going to be patient."
Analysis: Rose was examined Monday by a specialist, and Bulls general manager Gar Forman said no structural damage was found. That’s good news for the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls, but Rose remains day to day with the persistent back issue. Rose, the league's reigning MVP, will attempt to return for Thursday's game against Boston. "It's not just his decision," Thibodeau said. "There are a lot of people weighing in on it. We have a great medical staff, a great training staff." Fantasy owners should monitor his progress and consider him a must-start when active.
News: New Orleans G
Eric Gordon had successful arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee, the team announced Tuesday. As expected, he will be sidelined for six weeks. Gordon sustained the injury during the first quarter of the Hornets' season-opener, but still managed 39 minutes. However, he missed the next four games before returning and logging another 39 minutes against Philadelphia -- his only two outings of the year.
Analysis: Gordon's first season with the Hornets has certainly been one to forget. Gordon, the key return in the Chris Paul deal with the Clippers, might not return to the court until April -- if at all this season. The 23-year-old netted a combined 42 points in his only two games and proved he remains a strong scorer, when he's healthy. Fantasy owners should keep him reserved in most formats, but consider cutting him if you need roster space.
Calf injury sidelines Nene
Nene, C, DEN
2:56 PM
News: Nuggets C Nene was ruled out for Tuesday's game against Phoenix and is expected to also miss Wednesday's contest at Dallas with a troublesome calf injury. "How long Nene will be out? I don't know," coach George Karl told the
Denver Post on Monday. "He'll probably miss Tuesday's game, maybe a few more. ... I haven't heard the specifics, just someone whispering to me that it might be four or five days."
Analysis: Four or five days from Monday puts the next possible game Nene could suit up for as Friday at Memphis. However, that is not a guaranteed return date for the Nuggets' starting center, who has also dealt with a heel injury this season. Nene has missed five games this season, but is productive when active and is averaging 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Keep him reserved in all Fantasy formats until further notice.
Irving awaiting final clearance
Kyrie Irving, PG, CLE
2:40 PM
News: Cavaliers G
Kyrie Irving (concussion) was a full participant in practice Tuesday and is hoping to receive clearance from the team's medical staff to play in Wednesday's game against Indiana, according to the Cleveland
Plain Dealer. Irving has missed the past two games after being diagnosed with a concussion last Wednesday. Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said Irving would start and play his normal minutes if cleared.
Analysis: Irving completed two days of light workouts prior to Tuesday's practice and appears poised for a return on Wednesday. The Pacers matchup is the first of only three games for Cleveland during Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19). Irving leads all rookies with 18.0 points per game this season and is also averaging 5.1 assists through 23 games. With his return approaching, he should be viewed as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy G in most formats.
News: Bobcats coach Paul Silas said G
D.J. Augustin (toe) could start Wednesday at Minnesota after his positive showing in practice, the
Charlotte Observer reports. Augustin, who is averaging 13.6 points per game this season, returned to practice Tuesday after missing the team's past 11 games with a toe injury. G
Kemba Walker, who has been starting in Augustin's place at point guard, would play off the bench when he returns.
Analysis: Augustin was hoping to play Monday against Philadelphia, but it now appears he will return at some point this week -- possibly even Wednesday. The 24-year-old has said he's felt less pain in his foot, however, he won't take any chances re-aggravating the issue. The Bobcats play three more times in Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) so Fantasy owners should monitor Augustin's status to determine when he will take the court.
News: Celtics F
Kevin Garnett is considered doubtful for Wednesday's game against Detroit due to a hip flexor, according to the
Boston Globe. Garnett apparently tweaked his hip during Sunday's victory over Chicago and was unable to participate in practice on Tuesday.
Analysis: Garnett's injury comes at a tough time for the veteran forward as he had started to improve his scoring production. He has averaged 17.6 points per game over his past five outings and also registered 20-plus points in back-to-back outings during the span, the first time he has accomplished that feat this season. Plus, he was posting 9.6 rebounds a night. Fantasy owners should monitor his status as he could miss some playing time.
Coach seeking more from Casspi
Omri Casspi, SF, CLE
3:29 PM
News: Cleveland F
Omri Casspi is mired in one of the longest scoring droughts of the season and is averaging just 7.3 points per game during the month of February. Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said he has pinpointed the area where Casspi needs to improve. "He has to run the floor better, run the floor harder," Scott told
The News-Herald. "(He has to) get in there and fight, rebound the ball, and quit thinking about scoring so much."
Analysis: Scott seems frustrated by Casspi's lack of production, especially since he has started every game this season. However, he has topped double figures in points only once over his past nine outings to drop his season average to 7.8 ppg. He is only averaging 22.4 minutes a night and the Cavaliers don't have many options behind him so benching him would not be optimal. Consider Casspi a low-end Fantasy option in most formats.
Smith not traveling with team
Jason Smith, PF, NO
3:10 PM
News: New Orleans F
Jason Smith (concussion) did not accompany the Hornets for the start of their six-game road trip, according to the team's official website. Smith is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms and has already missed the past four games. There is no timetable for his return.
Analysis: It's extremely likely Smith will be sidelined until Feb. 29 when New Orleans returns home to face Toronto -- at least. The 25-year-old is facing a long stretch before he is cleared to return to game action as the Hornets are being cautious with his head injury. Smith is averaging 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season. Fantasy owners should continue to reserve him only in deeper formats at this point.
News: In desperate need of a backup center, the Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in free-agent C
Kyrylo Fesenko, according to reports. Fesenko has played the past four seasons with Utah. "We've had discussions about bringing him in and working him out," Bucks general manager John Hammond said Monday. Milwaukee has also displayed interest in C
Joel Przybilla, who is also an unrestricted free agent.
Analysis: Fesenko was expected to sign with Golden State during the offseason, but his knee injury seemed to shy away potential suitors. He appeared in 53 games for the Jazz last season and averaged less than three points and three rebounds per outing. The 7-foot-1 center is reportedly not close to a deal and would not have much Fantasy value with the Bucks. Fantasy owners should continue to ignore him in all formats for now.
News: New Jersey C
Brook Lopez participated in a full practice Tuesday for the first time since having foot surgery last December, according to
The Bergen (N.J.) Record. Lopez, who has been sidelined all season because of a broken foot, had been kept to minimal contact in pracice.
Analysis: Nets general manager Billy King said last week that Lopez has been "on schedule" with his recovery and the practice report is the latest step. Still, New Jersey will continue to be patient with Lopez, who is approaching the two-month mark on the bench since having surgery on Dec. 23. It still may take at least another week before Lopez returns to game action so Fantasy owners should keep him reserved in all formats for now.
