During this past Thursday's blowout victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, forward LeBron James had his nose broken on a drive to the hoop that resulted in a score. James was left bloodied on the baseline and left the game after heading to the locker room to have his head and nose checked out. James missed the Sunday's game against the Chicago Bulls due to the injury and an opportunity to grab a little in-season rest with the Heat not playing again until Thursday.
The Miami Heat's star practiced Tuesday for the first time since breaking his nose and hopes to play Thursday when the Heat host the New York Knicks. Assuming he plays, James will wear a protective mask in that game and for the next few weeks. From ESPN.com:
LeBron James participated in his first practice Tuesday since breaking his nose last week and hopes to return for the Miami Heat's game Thursday against the New York Knicks.
James was off limits during the Heat's full-contact portions of scrimmage work, so he did not wear a protective mask. But he said he's been fitted for one and will wear it in games the next few weeks.
"Every day is better," James said. "It's getting better, but I haven't been hit on it, either. It's too soon, but I think I should be fine enough to go on Thursday. It's only Tuesday, so we've got a lot of time."
The Heat managed to win fairly comfortably against the Bulls on Sunday without James, and they should be able to win against the Knicks on Thursday. They're currently chasing the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the NBA. They're 1.5 games behind the Pacers.
James played with a protective mask back in the 2004-05 season after suffering a broken cheekbone thanks to Dikembe Mutomb's elbow.
Basketball Hot News
Report: If Granger bought out Spurs have interest, maybe not Heat
We are still waiting to see if the Philadelphia 76ers and Danny Granger are going to be able to come to a buyout agreement. While talks are ongoing, a few teams are circling like vultures just in case Granger is going to be a free agent.
The timeline is March 1 — if the Sixers buy out Granger by then he can join another team for the playoffs (he doesn’t have to join by March 1, only clear waivers by then). They have a few days work this out. Coach Brett Brown told CSNPhilly.com the team and Granger are talking but things still seem open ended.
“He is a good guy, a good person, and a hell of a player. He has different ideas on what is best for him and his family at this stage of his career. I don’t begrudge him for any of that. I think it is our job to run a business and treat people well, and we will do that. I think the timeline with Danny is still open ended.”
When they do, San Antonio could be a landing spot, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.
Whispers persist that San Antonio has interest in Danny Granger … IF Granger goes ahead with extricating himself from Philly via buyout—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 25, 2014
We repeat: Granger would obviously rather be w/contender like Spurs than tanking Philly BUT also needs to make sure he'll get PT w/new team—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 25, 2014
Indiana traded granger to the Sixers at the deadline for Evan Turner, where the Sixers continued to stockpile picks. While the Miami Heat could use help at the three to give Wade rest, the Miami Herald reports that the Heat players would rather see Caron Butler cut loose and get him.
Danny Granger, 30, acquired by Philadelphia, reportedly wants a buyout so he can sign with the Heat or a Western Conference contender, and Caron Butler, 33, also will welcome Heat overtures if he gets a buyout from Milwaukee, as many expect. (It’s too early to tell if Granger will get the buyout.)
So who would be better for Miami? Heat players would clearly prefer Butler; he and Dwyane Wade are close from their days as Heat teammates, and Granger irritated the Heat’s stars by getting in their faces after fouls in the 2012 playoffs. At the time, LeBron James called Granger’s conduct “stupid.”
Somehow I think if Pat Riley struck a deal with Granger the Heat players would get over it.
That said, the next few days are going to get interesting.
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