NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops
Chris Paul underwent an MRI this morning, which revealed a mild groin strain. Paul suffered the injury during the late-third quarter of last night’s loss to Portland. He is listed as day-to-day.
This is good news, as yesterday it was feared he might have a more serious injury. There was some speculation he might even miss the All-Star game, though that appears to not be the case.
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson underwent an MRI on Tuesday morning, which revealed a torn right labrum.
Nelson dislocated his right shoulder with 9:11 remaining during the third quarter of the Magic’s loss vs. Dallas on February 2. The course of treatment for the injury will be determined during the next week. At that point, his playing status will be evaluated.
The information above is from 12:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 3.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Sekou Smith) reports: Good luck trying to figure out who was happier to see Al Horford back on the practice floor. The Hawks’ starting center was ecstatic Monday to be at work full time after missing the last 12 games with a bone bruise in his right knee. His teammates were just as happy considering their recent struggles. The Hawks were 5-7 record without their leading rebounder and best post defender. Horford should play Wednesday at Minnesota, but that is contingent on how his knee responds.
The AP reports: Tim Duncan scored five of his season-high 32 points in overtime and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Golden State Warriors 110-105 on Monday night. Manu Ginobili also had a season-high 32 points as the Spurs won their fourth straight, ninth in 10 games overall and third straight on the road. Tony Parker had 23 points. Duncan added 15 rebounds for his 30th double-double. Stephen Jackson scored a season-high 33 points for the Warriors, who were trying to beat the Spurs at home three straight for the first time in 21 years. Monta Ellis, who left the game with a sprained ankle, added 17 points.
The AP reports: Point guard Deron Williams sat out with a contusion above his right knee, joining forwards Carlos Boozer (knee) and Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) on the inactive list. “We’ve got to be used to it. We’ve lost a lot of games due to injury,” said Brevin Knight, who had seven assists as he and Ronnie Price stepped in for Williams… Raymond Felton had 16 points and nine assists to lead the Bobcats, who lost their third straight and went 1-4 on a five-game road trip. They also had 24 turnovers, leading to 32 points for the Jazz… Emeka Okafor added 15 points and seven rebounds, but scored only three after the first quarter as Charlotte couldn’t keep up its starting pace.
The AP reports: Jason Richardson scored 16 of his 24 points in the first quarter, Amare Stoudemire finished with 25 points and eight rebounds and the rejuvenated Suns ended a three-game home losing skid with their most lopsided victory of the season, 129-81 over the tired Sacramento Kings on Monday night… The Suns had very few problems Monday. They outrebounded the Kings 64-44, including 21 off the offensive boards; they finished with a season-high 30 fast break points; they had a season-high 16 steals, and they outscored the Kings 64-34 in the paint… Grant Hill added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Suns, Leandro Barbosa scored 11 points, Shaquille O’Neal had 10 points and nine rebounds, and Steve Nash had nine points and nine assists. John Salmons led the Kings with 19 points, Kevin Martin scored 13, Jason Thompson 12 and Francisco Garcia 10.
The AP reports: Chris Paul darted into the paint, bounced a pinpoint pass to James Posey under the basket and suddenly dropped to the floor, clutching his right leg as the New Orleans Arena fell silent… LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and the Trail Blazers extended their winning streak to five, erasing a 17-point deficit after Paul’s injury en route to a 97-89 victory Monday night… Outlaw finished with 16 points and Fernandez 15 for the Blazers. Aldridge also had 11 rebounds, Joel Przybilla grabbed 10 and Portland outrebounded New Orleans 52-32. David West scored 25 points for the Hornets and Peja Stojakovic 18, but after Paul left the game, the Hornets were 5-of-21 from the field (24 percent) with only two assists and five turnovers.
The AP reports: Kobe Bryant broke the current arena record with 61 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers looked plenty potent without Bynum in a 126-117 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night… Bryant teased and pleased a sold-out crowd that took turns booing him and saluting him with “MVP!” chants during an electrifying performance. He passed Michael Jordan’s opponent record of 55 points at the present building, known as “Garden IV,” when he hit three free throws with 3:56 remaining, then bettered Bernard King’s mark of 60, set on Christmas Day 1984, with two more foul shots with 2:33 to play… Pau Gasol added 31 points and 14 rebounds in the Lakers’ first game since losing Bynum, their starting center, for eight to 12 weeks with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
The AP reports: Dwyane Wade had 32 points and nine assists, Michael Beasley added 18 points and Miami scored its most points in a home game since March 14, 2006, on the way to snapping a two-game skid. Mario Chalmers scored 15 points, Udonis Haslem added 13 and Shawn Marion— in his first game back after missing five straight with a strained left groin— finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for the Heat, who improved to 15-3 when scoring more than 100 points this season… Zach Randolph, back after missing 19 games with a sore left knee, scored 21 points for the Clippers, who’ve lost six straight and 20 of 22. Marcus Camby and Eric Gordon each added 12 for the Clippers, who had beaten Miami by a single point in each of their last two meetings.
The AP reports: Memphis Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo had done more scoring than losing at every level of play until he reached the NBA. On Monday night, he used his ability to score to help the Grizzlies end a 12-game losing skid, matching his career high with 33 points in a 113-97 win over the Washington Wizards… Rudy Gay scored 23 and Marc Gasol added 22 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, which ended the team’s longest drought since dropping 13 in a row to start the 2002-03 season. The Grizzlies had not won since beating Dallas 102-82 Jan. 4… Antawn Jamison had 29 points and 13 rebounds and Caron Butler scored 21 for Washington, which failed to record its second two-game winning streak of the season.