Chris Kaman done for the season; Marc Gasol suffers a bone bruise on knee – NBA Injury Update
Chris Kaman, the seven foot German centre, has been shut down by the New Orleans Hornets for the remainder of the regular season. Kaman, who is leading the team with 15 double-doubles in just 47 games this season, has a bruised
left tibia and will miss the least 5 games for the Hornets.
New Orleans got their hand on the veteran centre after a block buster mid season trade with the Los Angeles Clippers which saw the Chris Paul depart to LA. The Hornets got Kaman, shooting guard Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu and
a first-round draft pick in return. The team had been struggling for majority of the season but ever since the return of Gordon from injury, they have been on an upward streak, winning all of their last four.
With a lottery pick in the draft destined to come their way, the Hornets who are under a new owners Tom Benson now, have given a clear indication that they are looking towards the future by resting Kaman.
Another centre who is struggling with an injury on the Western end is Memphis Grizzlies’ star centre Marc Gasol aka the ‘younger’ Gasol.
Marc had been diagnosed with a bone bruise on the left knee after an MRI on Monday; however the Grizzlies were intent on playing their centre in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. The 34 minutes on the
court turned out to be a struggle for the seven-footer and he could only manage four points on a 2-of-8 shooting, three rebounds and three assists.
Marc has over the course of the season emerged as one of the most improved players not only in the Grizzlies roster, but in the entire league. He made his first All-Star appearance this season and has marshalled the Memphis front
court with 15 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks, starting all the 59 games. His presence will be pivotal come the playoffs time and Lionel Hollins, the Memphis coach, will be inclined to rest him for the remainder of the regular season.
In other injury news, Kobe Bryant missed his sixth consecutive game for the Los Angeles Lakers with an inflamed left shin. Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets has also been ruled out for Wednesday's game against arch rivals,
the New York Knicks, because of a calf strain. For the Knicks though, Amare Stoudemire seems to have recovered from a bulging disk in the back and is set to return this Friday.
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