Inside Hoops – Page 1388 – NBA Blog

Manu Ginobili out indefinitely with hamstring injury

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich puts Manu Ginobili’s timetable to return from a strained right hamstring at weeks rather than days, a significant setback to the team’s pre-playoff preparation.

“It’s a huge blow for us,” he said, “because he’s the guy that allows our second team to do what they’ve been doing all year long.

“It’s a huge loss for that group, and in game situations it’s a tough one because he’s one of two guys, he and Tony (Parker), are the creators who make things happen for everybody else on the court. It’s an unfortunate loss at this point of the season.”

Popovich said it is unknown if Ginobili’s injury will stretch into the postseason, which begins on April 20. Excluding Sunday’s home game against Miami, the Spurs have nine games remaining in the regular season, with the last coming on April 17 against Minnesota.

— Reported by Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News (Blog)

Playoffs within reach for Utah Jazz

It’s the thrill of the chase.

Needless to say, the Utah Jazz would rather it wasn’t this way. They’d much prefer to have already locked up a playoff berth and save their fans and management the hand-wringing that will inevitably accompany the remaining eight games of a bizarre, disjointed season.

But, still, in their second annual final-weeks push for the eighth spot, there is a sense of excitement around a team left for dead as recently as a week ago.

“I told the guys the other night man, if you like to compete,” coach Tyrone Corbin said, “you like to be in these kinds of fights. This is where you figure out where you are.”

Entering Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Jazz (38-36) are in eighth in the West, holders of a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Lakers by virtue of a 2-1 win in the season series.

— Reported by Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune

Coach Rick Adelman closing in on 1,000 wins

Timberwolves assistant coach Terry Porter has known Rick Adelman as a father figure, mentor and close friend.

When Porter first met Adelman 28 years ago, he never imagined that he would be adding “coaching legend” to describe their relationship.

Now that Adelman is closing in on 1,000 wins as an NBA head coach, a milestone only seven other coaches in league history have reached, Porter know as as well as anyone that the description is appropriate and well-deserved.

“I’m sure this is something he will be very proud of,” Porter said. “He might not mention it, but when he looks back on things, how he got started and where he came from … to join such a quality group will be pretty special for him. When you look at the guys in that club, they’re all hall of famers.”

Adelman, 66, is three wins shy of reaching elite status heading into the Wolves’ game Monday night, April 1, against Boston at Target Center.

— Reported by Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press

Louisville guard Kevin Ware suffers horrible leg injury

Louisville Cardinals guard Kevin Ware suffered a grotesque-looking injury in the first half of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament game against the Duke Blue Devils.

Ware jumped out to contest a three-pointer with 6:33 left in the first half and snapped his lower right leg when he landed. He was writhing in pain in front of the Louisville bench.

He was carted off on a stretcher, and a Louisville spokesman said he was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

Knicks center Tyson Chandler remains out

Center Tyson Chandler has missed the past nine games with a pinched nerve in his neck, but the New York Knicks remain optimistic that he will return for the playoffs if not before.

Chandler was expected back about a week ago after an MRI revealed a bulging disk in his neck, but the Knicks have no timetable for his return. He suffered the injury on March 13.

“There’s always a concern, but he’ll be fine,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said, according to the New York Post. “We’re just being cautious. Eventually, he’ll be back. I like to think he’s getting better. He’ll let us know when it’s time for him to step back on the floor.”

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

Andre Iguodala expects to test free agency this summer

Andre Iguodala is expected to forego the final year of his contract with the Denver Nuggets and test free agency after this season.

Iguodala, 29, has a player option worth around $16.1 million next season, but admitted he will strongly consider seeking a lucrative multi-year deal.

“Yeah, definitely,” Iguodala, told Fox Sports Florida. “You got to weigh options. Security-wise, a player would opt out, especially with the type of season we’ve had as a team. Teams know what I can bring to them, and I know (the Nuggets) know what I can bring to a team here.

“Players get like $50, $60 or $70 or $80 (million over multiple years), whatever the number was, they gave up a big number (in an option season by opting out). But in the grand scheme of things, pretty much get it back. You got security.”

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

D-League coach Eduardo Najera suspended

Texas Legends head coach, Eduardo Najera, has received a one-game suspension without pay for receiving his 13th technical foul of the 2012-13 NBA Development League season, it was announced today by Chris Alpert, NBA D-League Vice President, Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.

Under NBA D-League rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 13th technical foul during the regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended for an additional game.

Najera received his most recent technical foul with 10.7 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Texas’ 113-94 loss to the Canton Charge on Saturday, March 30, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Najera will serve his suspension tonight when the Legends face the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

No Ginobili for Spurs in game against Heat

A strained hamstring will keep San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili from playing Sunday night against the Miami Heat.

Ginobili tweaked the hamstring during Friday night’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers and the decision was made the allow it time to heal. No return date is set, but Ginobili is not expected to miss significant time.

The Spurs (55-17) are vying with the Heat (57-15) for the best record in the NBA during the final weeks of the regular season.

— Reported by the Sports Xchange

Mavericks recall Jared Cunningham from D-League again

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have recalled Jared Cunningham from the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Cunningham (6-4, 194) served two stints with the Legends, averaging 15.3 points, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 34.5 minutes in 15 games (13 starts). He was originally assigned to the D-League on Dec. 11, then re-assigned on Jan. 28.

Cunningham has seen action in eight games for the Mavericks this season and is averaging 2.0 points and 3.3 minutes per game.

Hawks center Zaza Pachulia injured, out around six months

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Zaza Pachulia has elected to have surgery to repair his sore right Achilles. Pachulia will have surgery Wednesday, April 3rd, in Charlotte at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Robert Anderson of OrthoCarolina will perform the surgery and Hawks Team Physician Dr. Michael Bernot of Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic will accompany Zaza.

“After thoroughly reviewing the possible options with Zaza, we all felt this was the best decision to insure Zaza’s complete recovery so that he can be at 100 percent going forward. Zaza is a professional with a strong work ethic. The Hawks will continue to be completely supportive as he tackles the return to play process,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry.

The expected recovery time following surgery is approximately six months.