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Ty Lawson set to return for Nuggets

Here’s the Denver Post on the Nuggets getting healthier and stronger:

Nuggets guard Ty Lawson is over a hamstring injury and officially set to go for Friday’s game against the Utah Jazz. That’s just in time to face a Jazz team that looks wholly different from the one the Nuggets beat on Nov. 11 in Utah — a victory that at the time kicked off a stretch of 10 wins in 12 games.

The differences between that Utah team and this one start at point guard.

Rookie point guard Trey Burke, a lottery pick out of Michigan, returned to the team not long after that early November matchup, and he’s been the catalyst for a Jazz team that has put a much more competitive product on the court of late.

“We talked about with the team, don’t expect to see the same Utah team we saw a month ago,” Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said.

Warriors center Jermaine O`Neal out after wrist surgery

Golden State Warriors center Jermaine O’Neal underwent successful arthroscopic surgery this morning to address a torn ligament in his right wrist, the team announced.

Following the procedure, which was performed by Dr. Jeff Yao at the Stanford Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Clinic, O’Neal will begin rehabilitation immediately and his progress will be monitored throughout the recovery process.

O’Neal has appeared in 17 games this season (one start), averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per contest.

It isn’t clear how long O’Neal will be out. Usually, an NBA team provides an estimate after surgery takes place, but perhaps it’s not yet known by the squad how much time the veteran may miss.

Atlanta Hawks recall John Jenkins from D-League

The Atlanta Hawks have recalled guard John Jenkins from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Jenkins was assigned to Bakersfield on December 6, 2013. He appeared in four games for the Jam, all starts, and averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals in 36.3 minutes (.418 FG%, .800 FT%).

Jenkins will be in uniform and available tonight against the Wizards.

Chicago Bulls sign guard D.J. Augustin

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard D.J. Augustin.

The team is without injured point guard Derrick Rose for the season, and was in need of additional guard depth.

Augustin (6-0, 183) is currently in his sixth year in the NBA. Drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the ninth pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Augustin has played for the Bobcats, the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. He appeared in 10 games this year with the Raptors, and averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.0 apg in 8.2 mpg.

In five-plus seasons in the NBA, he has played in 368 regular season games (147 starts) and averaged 9.4 ppg, 3.9 apg and 1.8 rpg in 24.1 mpg, and shot .400 from the field, .368 from behind the arc and .872 from the line. The 26-year old Augustin has also made two trips (23 games) to the NBA playoffs, where he has averaged 5.0 ppg, 0.9 apg, 16.9 mpg, .364 field goal shooting, .389 from downtown and .811 from the free throw line.

Augustin will wear No. 14 and he will be available for this evening’s game at Milwaukee.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Warriors center Jermaine O`Neal injured, needs wrist surgery

Warriors center Jermaine O’Neal will undergo arthroscopic surgery tomorrow (12/13) to address a torn ligament in his right wrist. A timetable for his return will be determined following the procedure.

O’Neal, who did not play in last night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a sprained right wrist, has appeared in 17 games this season (one start), averaging 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per contest.

Lakers guard Steve Blake injured, out at least six weeks

Lakers guard Steve Blake had an MRI and was examined today by team doctor Steve Lombardo and Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Blake was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks.

Blake suffered the injury in the second half of the Lakers @ Washington game on November 26. In 21 games this season (21 starts), Blake is averaging 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 31.8 minutes.

Knicks guard Raymond Felton out with hamstring issue

Here’s ESPN New York with an update on New York Knicks PG Raymond Felton:

Knicks starting point guard Raymond Felton missed Wednesday night’s 83-78 win over the Chicago Bulls due to a hamstring ailment, and coach Mike Woodson said he could be out for “a little while.”

Felton aggravated a pre-existing left hamstring injury in the third quarter against Cleveland while driving to the basket on Tuesday. He was removed from the game shortly thereafter and never returned.

“I don’t think we’re at a day to day right now. He’s going to probably be a little while,” Woodson said before tipoff against the Bulls on Wednesday.

Felton has been playing with hamstring and hip soreness for much of the season.

Doc Rivers coaches in Boston as a visitor tonight

Here’s the Boston Herald on Doc Rivers, who returns to Boston as a visiting head coach tonight:

Nothing will be normal for Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers today in his return to the Garden to face the Celtics, and that unfamiliarity started when he walked into the building this morning.

“It will be strange. I’m used to going in the other doors and through the other side,” joked Rivers, who met with the media for about 15 minutes before the Pacific Division-leading Clippers prepared for their one and only trip to Boston this year. “I’m not used to having shootaround. (It’s) maybe my first shootaround ever at the Garden in the last 10 years. This is strange already.”

Rivers arrived in Boston yesterday and met with some friends for dinner before sitting down and watching the Brooklyn Nets and the Celtics kick off what is being dubbed “Reunion Week” for the Celtics with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and now Rivers all in different situations.

“It’s going to be a hard night,” Rivers said.

Charlotte Bobcats waive James Southerland, sign Chris Douglas-Roberts

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Chris Douglas-Roberts and waived forward James Southerland.

Douglas-Roberts, who was playing with the NBA D-League Texas Legends, becomes the fifth D-League Gatorade Call-Up of the 2013-14 season.

A four-year NBA veteran, the 6-7 Douglas-Roberts has played in 161 career games for the Nets, Bucks and Mavericks. He has career averages of 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.3 minutes, while shooting .442 from the field (458-1036) and .833 from the free-throw line (265-318). Douglas-Roberts was selected by the Nets with the 40th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Douglas-Roberts has also played in 17 career NBA D-League games with the Legends, with averages of 21.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 36.9 minutes. He is shooting .487 from the field (113-232), .407 from beyond the three-point line (22-54) and .889 from the free-throw line (112-126) in D-League action.

In six games for the Legends this season, Douglas-Roberts has averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 34.0 minutes, while shooting .472 from the field (34-72), .438 from beyond the three-point line (7-16) and .860 from the free-throw line (37-43).

Southerland signed with the Bobcats on September 5, 2013, after not being selected in the 2013 NBA Draft. He saw action in one regular-season game, playing three minutes.

Danny Granger should play soon for Pacers

Yeah, by now you’re probably bored of hearing “Danny Granger set to return!” stories. But this time it’s happening. Probably. At 19-3, the Indiana Pacers don’t seem to need any additional help, but they’ll soon receive it. Here’s ESPN.com on it:

Danny Granger has played in only five games over the past two seasons for the Indiana Pacers, but he’s hoping to make his return this week.

Granger said he won’t play in Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat and instead is targeting Friday’s home game with the Charlotte Bobcats as he recovers from a calf injury that’s kept him out of the team’s first 21 games. He was limited to five games last season because of a knee injury.

“There’s a very good chance, hopefully on Friday,” Granger said. “I’m conditioning my legs, getting my wind. The knee is not an issue at all. The calf is pretty good now.”

After Granger experienced several setbacks over the past year, the Pacers aren’t committing themselves as strongly to the return.