NBA News Blog – Page 1315 – NBA Blog

Anderson Varejao likely out for season

Anderson Varejao injured his right ankle and foot during Thursday afternoon’s team practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. He was examined and received X-rays and MRI at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health immediately following practice, the results of which revealed an injury to the peroneus longus tendon.

In order to confirm the extent of the injury and diagnosis, a follow-up MRI was obtained today in Phoenix at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. The results confirmed a complete tear of the peroneus longus in the midfoot of the right ankle and foot.

Anderson will return to Cleveland in the near future for further consultation and treatment decisions will be made and he will likely miss the remainder of the current season. Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker will coordinate additional consultations and facilitate subsequent treatment plan recommendations.

Lakers recall Devin Ebanks from D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled forward Devin Ebanks from the NBA Development League’s Bakersfield Jam, it was announced today.

Ebanks, who was assigned to Bakersfield on December 27, played six games with the Jam, averaging 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 27.7 minutes.

Selected by the Lakers with the 43rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Ebanks has appeared in 12 games for the Lakers this season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.4 minutes.

Suns sign Zabian Dowdell to 10-day contract

The Suns have signed guard Zabian Dowdell (ZAY-bee-in dow-DELL) to a 10-day contract, the team has announced.

The 6-3, 191-pound Dowdell spent training camp with the Suns in 2010 before being waived on Oct. 19. Dowdell then signed with the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League, where he has appeared in 18 games (18 starts) this season, establishing averages of 14.5 points, 4.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 29.3 minutes. Dowdell, who also spent 10 games with the 66ers in 2009-10, has seen both his scoring and assist averages increase in 2010-11.

Dowdell, a four-year performer at Virginia Tech (2003-07), was a member of the Suns’ 2009 and 2010 Las Vegas Summer League entries. As a Hokie, he was a 2006-07 All-ACC First Team honoree and a two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selection.

The Suns’ roster now stands at 14.

Kings recall Hassan Whiteside from D-League

The Sacramento Kings today recalled center Hassan Whiteside from the Reno Bighorns of the D-League, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Whiteside averaged 4.4 points (.509 FG%, .412 FT%), 2.7 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 2.14 blocks, and 10.5 minutes per game in 14 games, including three starts with the Bighorns. He was assigned to Reno on November 29, 2010.

Selected by Sacramento in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft out of Marshall University, Whiteside appeared in one NBA game, playing two minutes in the season opener at Minnesota on October 27, 2010.

Warriors assign Jeremy Lin to D-League

The Golden State Warriors have assigned guard Jeremy Lin to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, the team announced today.

Lin, 22, has appeared in 17 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 1.9 points and 1.12 steals in 8.5 minutes per contest.

This will mark his second stint with the Bighorns this season.

Lin appeared in four games with Reno earlier this season, averaging 18.0 points and 2.8 assists.

He was recalled by the Warriors on January 3, but has been on the team’s inactive list since his return (last three games).

Matt Barnes will have right knee surgery

Lakers forward Matt Barnes will undergo surgery on his right knee on Tuesday to repair a torn lateral meniscus, it was announced today.

The surgery will be performed by Lakers team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. A timeline for his return will be established at the conclusion of the surgery.

Barnes sustained the injury on January 7 in a game against the New Orleans Hornets.

In 37 games this season, Barnes has averaged 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.8 minutes.

Hawks sign Damien Wilkins to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard/forward Damien Wilkins to a 10-day contract, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Wilkins has appeared in 13 games off the bench for Atlanta this season, averaging 2.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 spg and 0.6 apg (.464 FG%, .636 FT%) in 13.1 mpg. The University of Georgia product was originally signed by the Hawks on December 3, 2010, and waived on January 5, 2011.

Report says Maloofs are struggling to keep Palms Casino resort

Dale Kasler and Tony Bizjak of the Sacramento Bee report:

In a possible sign of fresh financial turmoil for the owners of the Kings, the Maloof family is reportedly struggling to hold onto the other key piece of its business empire: the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Two private investment firms that hold most of the Palms’ debt are negotiating to acquire a controlling interest in the trendy casino, according to a report by Bloomberg news service.

The firms got into position to take control after the Palms violated the terms of its loans, Bloomberg reported.

George Maloof, who runs the Palms, and his brother Joe, who oversees the Kings, declined to comment on the report.

But the family acknowledges that the Palms has struggled in the past two years. George Maloof said last fall that the Palms was restructuring its debt.

“We’re getting through it,” he said.

Blazers guard Elliot Williams out for season after surgery

Portland Trail Blazers guard Elliot Williams underwent successful surgery today to repair left patella instability.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the surgery at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles with assistance from Portland team physician Dr. Don Roberts.

The first-year player will miss the remainder of the 2010-11 season after previously undergoing a similar procedure on his right patella on Nov. 12, 2010.

Portland selected Williams with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He has not appeared in a game for the Trail Blazers this season.

Williams, 21, posted averages of 17.9 points (45.9% FG, 36.6% 3-PT, 75.8% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.32 steals in 34 games (all starts) as a sophomore at Memphis in 2009-10, earning All-Conference USA First Team and Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors.

The 6-5, 183-pound guard played his freshman year at Duke in 2008-09, where he averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 34 games before transferring to Memphis.

Leon Powe out six weeks after knee surgery

Cavaliers forward/center Leon Powe was examined at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health by Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker, where an MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Powe underwent successful surgery to repair the torn meniscus today (1/7/11). The surgery was performed by Dr. Parker.

Powe will now undergo a period of rest, treatment and rehabilitation and his return to play is currently estimated to be approximately six weeks.

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