JPB
01-23-2009, 02:50 PM
Devin Harris doubtful for Spurs duel
BY JULIAN GARCIA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Friday, January 23rd 2009, 12:43 AM
Snyder/Reuters
Nets point guard Devin Harris, injured in third quarter of Wednesday's loss to Hornets, is unlikely to play against Tony Parker and Spurs Friday night.
SAN ANTONIO - The Nets didn't fare so well against one of the league's elite point guards when they had Devin Harris for nearly three quarters on Wednesday night. Things may not go much better if Harris doesn't play at all Friday night.
Harris is likely to sit out against Tony Parker and the Spurs Friday night because of a rib injury that forced him to leave Wednesday's game against New Orleans with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. The Nets ended up losing by 10 as Chris Paul scored 29 points.
Harris has a bruised rib on his right side and is listed as day-to-day. The good news is that he had a CAT scan Thursday and no damage was found. An X-ray taken on Tuesday was negative, as well.
The Nets are 1-5 in games Harris has missed this season. Backup point guard Keyon Dooling is also dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against the Hornets.
If Dooling is significantly slowed or cannot play at all, Vince Carter would likely take over the point-guard duties since the Nets do not have another natural point guard on their roster. Trenton Hassell also could see time there.
"It gives other guys an opportunity," said Lawrence Frank, whose team has lost four straight after climbing to the .500 mark. "You've just got to find a way."
As much as playing without Harris would hurt the Nets (19-23) over the next few games, a long-term injury could dash their already slim playoff hopes. After spending most of the first half in the playoff picture, the Nets are now on the outside looking in. The health of Harris, their second-leading scorer who is averaging 21.8 points per game, is crucial over the second half.
That's why his teammates would rather have him sit out now and get well than force himself into action and hurt himself further.
"It's unfortunate," said Carter. "He's been playing well, but at the end of the day, getting that taken care of is more important. I'd rather lose him for three to four games now instead of anything where he'd be out for the season."
The Nets had hoped to add a third point guard before the season but felt confident they could make do with Carter handling duties behind Harris and Dooling. But now they may have to reconsider their priorities as the Feb.19 trade deadline approaches.
"We're going to have to see what transpires with these guys, see if they're going to be able to play or not," said team president Rod Thorn.
SEEIN' SEAN: Second-year forward Sean Williams has been recalled from Colorado of the D-League. But he will not join the Nets for the remainder of the road trip, which continues to Memphis and Oklahoma City following Friday night's game.
BY JULIAN GARCIA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Friday, January 23rd 2009, 12:43 AM
Snyder/Reuters
Nets point guard Devin Harris, injured in third quarter of Wednesday's loss to Hornets, is unlikely to play against Tony Parker and Spurs Friday night.
SAN ANTONIO - The Nets didn't fare so well against one of the league's elite point guards when they had Devin Harris for nearly three quarters on Wednesday night. Things may not go much better if Harris doesn't play at all Friday night.
Harris is likely to sit out against Tony Parker and the Spurs Friday night because of a rib injury that forced him to leave Wednesday's game against New Orleans with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. The Nets ended up losing by 10 as Chris Paul scored 29 points.
Harris has a bruised rib on his right side and is listed as day-to-day. The good news is that he had a CAT scan Thursday and no damage was found. An X-ray taken on Tuesday was negative, as well.
The Nets are 1-5 in games Harris has missed this season. Backup point guard Keyon Dooling is also dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against the Hornets.
If Dooling is significantly slowed or cannot play at all, Vince Carter would likely take over the point-guard duties since the Nets do not have another natural point guard on their roster. Trenton Hassell also could see time there.
"It gives other guys an opportunity," said Lawrence Frank, whose team has lost four straight after climbing to the .500 mark. "You've just got to find a way."
As much as playing without Harris would hurt the Nets (19-23) over the next few games, a long-term injury could dash their already slim playoff hopes. After spending most of the first half in the playoff picture, the Nets are now on the outside looking in. The health of Harris, their second-leading scorer who is averaging 21.8 points per game, is crucial over the second half.
That's why his teammates would rather have him sit out now and get well than force himself into action and hurt himself further.
"It's unfortunate," said Carter. "He's been playing well, but at the end of the day, getting that taken care of is more important. I'd rather lose him for three to four games now instead of anything where he'd be out for the season."
The Nets had hoped to add a third point guard before the season but felt confident they could make do with Carter handling duties behind Harris and Dooling. But now they may have to reconsider their priorities as the Feb.19 trade deadline approaches.
"We're going to have to see what transpires with these guys, see if they're going to be able to play or not," said team president Rod Thorn.
SEEIN' SEAN: Second-year forward Sean Williams has been recalled from Colorado of the D-League. But he will not join the Nets for the remainder of the road trip, which continues to Memphis and Oklahoma City following Friday night's game.