Blazers Joe Przybilla breaks bone in right hand, will miss final five games
April 6, 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla broke a bone in his right hand during the second quarter of Portland's game against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Przybilla was trying to block a shot and his hand hit the rim. He left the game with 2:56 left before the half.
The Blazers said he will miss the team's final five games.
The 7-foot-1 starter was averaging 4.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. Since the All-Star break, he's been averaging 11.4 rebounds.
Johnson sidelined for Heat, Banks expected to miss remainder of season
April 6, 2008
MIAMI (AP) -Forward Alexander Johnson was held out of the Miami Heat's game against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, still battling the aftereffects of a concussion.
Johnson was at the arena with the Heat, although he still was having trouble from the scary, accidental shot he took from teammate Mark Blount's elbow during the fourth quarter of Friday's loss at Washington. Johnson was examined by doctors before flying home with the Heat, and said Sunday he couldn't recall much about the incident.
``I remember waking up in the hospital,'' Johnson said, quietly.
It's unclear when, or if, Johnson will be cleared to return this season. After Sunday, Miami has five games remaining, with the season finale coming April 16.
``He's groggy,'' Heat coach Pat Riley said. ``I don't think we're going to play him for a couple of days. He really took a hard shot.''
If Johnson is lost for the season, he'd be just another entry on a still-growing list for the Heat.
Riley said Sunday that guard Marcus Banks is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring problem, making him the sixth Heat player to have his year end early because of injuries.
The Heat have already lost Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Dorell Wright to knee problems, Shawn Marion because of a foot and back problem and Udonis Haslem to ankle surgery.
Banks played in only 12 games with Miami since being acquired in the trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns, averaging 9.5 points.
``He keeps feeling a burning sensation in there,'' Riley said. ``There is no sense in going there and then ripping it or something.''
Some good injury news for Miami, though: Point guard Jason Williams, who has been sidelined by a sprained thumb, was on the active roster for Sunday's game, although not in the starting lineup.