LeBron James has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. He’s not really injured, although his ankles are a bit dinged up. This is simply for some rest, and we do expect him to play Friday against the Sixers. NBA TV is not going to be happy with this news, as they’re showing the game tonight.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

New Orleans: Chris Paul, who is already in week five of his four-to-six week recovery period from knee surgery, has still not been cleared to run and may not be before the end of the week. With only 19 games remaining, coach Jeff Bower said there is no magic date to decide if Paul will play again this year. “Our plan is for him to return when he’s 100 percent healthy and that’s what he wants to do as well,” Bower said. This is not good news at all, and Paul’s chances to return this season will likely decrease with each New Orleans Hornets‘ loss.

Oakland: Andris Biedrins will have surgery to repair a small tear in his abdominal muscle. A timetable will be set for his return after the surgery is performed, but we’re guessing this means his season is probably over. Anthony Tolliver and Ronny Turiaf should hold value the rest of the way,

Memphis: Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph will miss his first game of the season on Monday because of lower back tightness, the team announced just before tip-off.

New York: Tracy McGrady will miss Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks due to fatigue and soreness.

Portland: Marcus Camby practiced despite his sprained ankle on Monday and is hoping to play on Tuesday against the Kings. He’s not the most trustworthy center around right now, but it does sound like he will be in the starting lineup on Tuesday, barring any setbacks.

Chicago: Luol Deng missed Monday’s practice with the flu and was sent home with the illness. Deng is now questionable for Tuesday’s game.

San Antonio: Tony Parker will miss approximately six weeks due to his broken right hand, but will not need surgery.

San Antonio: With Tony Parker (hand) sidelined, Manu Ginobili will start at SG for the Spurs with George Hill moving to PG. This is terrific news if you own either guy, both of whom should be safe starts in all leagues. Expect Ginobili’s playing time to increase significantly going forward — he was averaging 27:30 per game as a reserve.

Vince Carter distorted space and time on Monday, scoring a season-high 48 points on a variety of vintage moves, connecting on 19-of-27 FGs, 6-of-10 three-pointers, and 4-of-4 FTs. VC has scored 20+ points in three consecutive games and is obviously over the shoulder injury that hampered him throughout January. He was posting up, hitting 3-pointers and slashing to the lane, and the buy-low window has officially been slammed shut. It was his highest-scoring game since 2006.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Lakers will play without both Kobe Bryant (sprained left ankle) and Andrew Bynum (bruised right hip) vs. the Spurs on Monday.Consider both of them questionable for L.A.’s final game before the All-Star break, Wednesday at Utah. Lamar Odom will start at PF on Monday, moving Pau Gasol to center.

Toronto: Andrea Bargnani’s ankle was a bit tender on Monday and his participation in practice was limited. The Toronto Raptors don’t play until Wednesday, their final game before the break, and it appears Bargnani just got some precautionary rest.

Charlotte: David West scored 27 points in the Hornets’ losing effort on Monday, making 10-of-19 FGs and 7-of-7 FTs in his second-highest scoring total of the past 18 games.

West is still a reliable option, though his points (17.9), FG attempts (14.8) and rebounds (7.6) have all taken big dips this season, along with his playing time (35:36). Most of that was a lackluster November, however, and an ankle injury which has since healed.

Atlanta: Atlanta Hawks G Joe Johnson is probable for Tuesday’s game despite having the flu. He had been listed as questionable, so this is great news if you gambled on him in a shortened Week 16.

Portland: Brandon Roy did not end up having another injection of PRP on Monday. He’s hopeful rest and treatment will be enough to fix his hamstring, but it’s still too early to tell when he’ll play again. He also won’t be getting much rest over All-Star Weekend, as he’ll be required to be in Dallas for the weekend per the NBA.

Denver: Carmelo Anthony, who was quoted by the Nuggets’ official Twitter page as saying he was “probable” for Tuesday’s game against the Mavs, was non-committal about his availability when speaking with beat writer Benjamin Hochman. “Hopefully I can get back out there [Tuesday],” Anthony said after Monday’s practice. “It felt good out there today. It’s getting better each day. Pretty much I was doing a lot that I could do before I got hurt.”

New Jersey: Devin Harris is “50-50″ to play on Tuesday against the Cavaliers due to his shoulder injury.

Bucks G Michael Redd has reportedly suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, ending his season. He was injured on Sunday night in L.A. and suffered the same injury nearly one year ago to the day (Jan. 24), making us wonder if his career is over. Brandon Jennings, Charlie Bell, Luke Ridnour, Carlos Delfino and Jodie Meeks will all see an increase in minutes with this news, while it looks like Bell will move into the starting lineup.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Chicago: Luol Deng hit 13-of-18 shots and a 3-pointer on his way to 27 points and six rebounds as the Bulls crushed the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Deng was likely on benches this week with three games and a fractured left thumb, but played very well tonight. He had not scored more than 18 points since Dec. 22. Derrick Rose was also feeling it for the Bulls, hitting 11-of-13 shots for 22 points and nine assists, as the Bulls hit a whopping 57% of their shots tonight.

Detroit: Ben Gordon, who was iffy with a hamstring injury, played just six minutes and failed to score on Monday before leaving with a groin injury.

Atlanta: Joe Johnson hit 14-of-25 shots and five 3-pointers for 36 points, three rebounds and one assist as the Hawks upset the Celtics in Boston. Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace were out, but this was just Boston’s fifth loss at home. In fact, of their 10 losses this season, three of them have been to the Atlanta Hawks, who had lost seven straight to the Celtics prior to the run.

Oakland: An MRI revealed that Warriors F Anthony Randolph will miss three to six weeks with a badly sprained left ankle.

Boston: Kevin Garnett will be out another 10 days with his hyperextended knee, according to coach Doc Rivers. KG has already been out for 15 days and hasn’t played since Dec. 28. He hasn’t done any work, either, which includes running and jumping. “Now I actually am pretty sure it will be in the next ten days or so,” said Rivers

Los Angeles: Pau Gasol is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Spurs due to his hamstring tear, which means he’s probably not likely to play on Wednesday against Dallas Mavericks, either.
Gasol worked on the treadmill Monday but didn’t practice. Phil Jackson didn’t have any new information because Gasol was still being treated after practice had ended.

According to an NBA official, the Wizards plan to fine some of Gilbert Arenas’ teammates for participating in his pregame warmup Tuesday that included him using his hands as guns.

The official said the fines would be contingent upon whether or not they planned the act ahead of time. In related news, the Wizards removed a several-stories tall banner of Arenas from the Verizon Center on Thursday, putting another nail in the coffin for his chances of returning this season.

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Chicago: Tyrus Thomas said Thursday that he is very frustrated with the Bulls’ two-game losing streak, but was clearly voicing his displeasure with not playing more. When asked if he was healthy, he said he was about “90 to 95″ percent and then added that he was, “once again trying to find my niche on this team.” Coach Vinny Del Negro has been firm in his decision to start and play Taj Gibson, but any prolonged losing streak could cause Del Negro to change his mind in fear of losing his job.

Phoenix Suns: Coach Alvin Gentry gave Leandro Barbosa earlier substitutions Wednesday, as well as his first time on the court with Steve Nash in four games. “Coach has been giving me plays. We were doing well. I’m coming back,” said Barbosa about his play Wednesday, which had its ups and downs.

Minnesota; Coach Kurt Rambis said Thursday that forward Ryan Gomes could replace Damien Wilkins in the starting lineup soon. Gomes was rolling prior to Kevin Love’s return, and while it was thought his value would take a hit at that point, he still managed nearly 20 points per game in the four games they played together before he hurt his ankle.

New York: Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting (including a three) with seven rebounds and six assists in the Knicks’ 97-93 win over the  Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday.

Charlotte: Stephen Jackson continued his recent strong play with 26 points on 10-of-26 shooting (including two threes) to go with seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block on Thursday.

Charlotte: Tyson Chandler says he was able to walk Thursday without significant pain for the first time since he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot. He’s still in a walking boot, but is cleared to ride the stationary bike.

Boston: Despite the fact that he is traveling with the team, Kevin Garnett (knee) will be held from Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. This report came from the Hawks’ beat writers, but with news released Wednesday that KG could miss up to two weeks, it’s probably safe to assume he won’t play.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest suffered a concussion and injured his left elbow after falling at his Home on Friday night. Artest apparently tripped over a box and fell down a flight of stairs and did not travel with the team to Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
Artest was treated at UCLA Medical Center, undergoing a CT scan and receiving stitches in the back of his head and his elbow.

A neurologist examined him on Saturday and confirmed he had a concussion and would only be day to day. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson seemed a bit annoyed with reporters after being asked to “interpret” the accident: “Let me see, my interpretation is that an accident happened, he fell down, he ended up in the hospital, and he came out with some stitches. Other than that, I can’t add anything to it.” Los Angeles began a stretch with four games in five days on Christmas, culminating in a home game against Golden State on Tuesday. “What I was telling the team is that he brings a certain physical presence to our game,” Jackson said. “And we’ll miss that part of his game.”

Elsewhere around the NBA:

Oakland: Warriors G/F Corey Maggette was on fire in Saturday’s thrilling 132-127 win over the Suns, scoring 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting. He made all seven of his FT attempts and had eight rebounds and one steal in 35 minutes. His move into the starting lineup proved to be the right decision, as he’s now topped 20 points in seven consecutive games.

Chicago: Chicago Bulls F Tyrus Thomas returned from his broken forearm on Saturday, posting a team-high 21 points on 10-of-17 shooting, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks.

New Orleans: New Orleans Hornets swingman Devin Brown hit 6-of-7 three-pointers against the Bulls, finishing with a team-high 22 points, four rebounds and two steals. All of his points came in the first half. So far this season, Brown’s field goal percentage is a measly 38.5%.

Atlanta: Hawks center Al Horford dominated the Pacers in Saturday’s victory, racking up 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting, 19 rebounds, two assists and five blocks. Horford averaging a career high 13.8 ppg, while shooting 58% to lead the surging Atlanta Hawks to a record of 21-8 thus far this season.

Phoenix: Steve Nash led the Suns in an old-fashioned shootout with the Warriors, scoring a season-high 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting, including 6-of-12 three-pointers.