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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12610230p-13464447c.html
Arco game report: Skinner hopes to return vs. Mavericks
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 23, 2005
No one needs to tell Brian Skinner how strange "bilateral thumb sprains" sounds.
He's the one with what's otherwise known as two sprained thumbs, the injury aggravated against Golden State on Sunday that kept him out of the Kings' 112-93 victory over Portland on Tuesday night at Arco Arena. The Kings center said he'll practice today and should be ready for Thursday's game against Dallas.
"You're telling me it's weird?" Skinner said. "(It still hurts) a little bit, but I'll be good. It's like a toe that gets stepped on over and over when it's hurt."
No, he wasn't speaking of guard Cuttino Mobley, who returned after missing one game because of a hairline fracture on his fourth left toe. Mobley's toe-jam occurred in the second quarter of Saturday night's victory over the host Los Angeles Clippers, though he scored 15 of his 24 points after the foot fact.
Mobley, who scored 19 points against Portland, credited his pregame routine for the foot not failing him this time -Advil, tape and plenty of prayer. Still, he wondered how he had angered the basketball gods during the game, when a Trail Blazer unintentionally threw the ball directly at the toe.
"Bananas," Mobley said. "I couldn't believe it. Of all the places (to throw it)."
Lastly on the banged-up list, Kings forward Corliss Williamson returned after his one-game absence. The MRI on his sore left elbow showed a loose body floating, though Williamson said he'll play through it.
"Nothing I can do about it right now," Williamson said. "It'll be stiff for a while. I'm just playing it by ear. We'll see. I'd rather be playing than sitting on the sideline. I like the NBA, but not that much."
Starting up
Nothing like backing up your talk. Kenny Thomas did just that.
The forward said last week that he's more comfortable as a starter, then scored a Kings-high 24 points in his second start since joining the team on Feb. 23.
Thomas mixed up his attack, slashing through the paint for dunks, knocking down outside jumpers and hitting all the easy looks. He hit 9 of 17 shots and had nine rebounds and five assists.
Thomas received added minutes when forward Darius Songaila left the game after a second-quarter crash.
SOUND BITE
"I can't limp the whole game. I don't want pity."
- Kings guard Cuttino Mobley, on his infrequent limp because of a fractured left fourth toe
BIG NUMBER
4 - The Kings' turnovers, tying an NBA season low.
KING FOR A DAY
KENNY THOMAS - His wish is coach Rick Adelman's command. The forward said last week that he'd like to start, then scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had five assists in his second start as a King.
QUESTION POSED
CAN THE KINGS FRIGHTEN THEIR FANS ANY MORE? It happened again. A King went down, this time Darius Songaila, who fell squarely on his back and shoulder on a second-quarter dunk attempt. He suffered a pulled back muscle and sore right elbow but should be ready for Thursday night's game. Peja Stojakovic looked hurt for a moment, too, favoring his right leg after falling in the third quarter, but he bounced back.
Arco game report: Skinner hopes to return vs. Mavericks
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, March 23, 2005
No one needs to tell Brian Skinner how strange "bilateral thumb sprains" sounds.
He's the one with what's otherwise known as two sprained thumbs, the injury aggravated against Golden State on Sunday that kept him out of the Kings' 112-93 victory over Portland on Tuesday night at Arco Arena. The Kings center said he'll practice today and should be ready for Thursday's game against Dallas.
"You're telling me it's weird?" Skinner said. "(It still hurts) a little bit, but I'll be good. It's like a toe that gets stepped on over and over when it's hurt."
No, he wasn't speaking of guard Cuttino Mobley, who returned after missing one game because of a hairline fracture on his fourth left toe. Mobley's toe-jam occurred in the second quarter of Saturday night's victory over the host Los Angeles Clippers, though he scored 15 of his 24 points after the foot fact.
Mobley, who scored 19 points against Portland, credited his pregame routine for the foot not failing him this time -Advil, tape and plenty of prayer. Still, he wondered how he had angered the basketball gods during the game, when a Trail Blazer unintentionally threw the ball directly at the toe.
"Bananas," Mobley said. "I couldn't believe it. Of all the places (to throw it)."
Lastly on the banged-up list, Kings forward Corliss Williamson returned after his one-game absence. The MRI on his sore left elbow showed a loose body floating, though Williamson said he'll play through it.
"Nothing I can do about it right now," Williamson said. "It'll be stiff for a while. I'm just playing it by ear. We'll see. I'd rather be playing than sitting on the sideline. I like the NBA, but not that much."
Starting up
Nothing like backing up your talk. Kenny Thomas did just that.
The forward said last week that he's more comfortable as a starter, then scored a Kings-high 24 points in his second start since joining the team on Feb. 23.
Thomas mixed up his attack, slashing through the paint for dunks, knocking down outside jumpers and hitting all the easy looks. He hit 9 of 17 shots and had nine rebounds and five assists.
Thomas received added minutes when forward Darius Songaila left the game after a second-quarter crash.
SOUND BITE
"I can't limp the whole game. I don't want pity."
- Kings guard Cuttino Mobley, on his infrequent limp because of a fractured left fourth toe
BIG NUMBER
4 - The Kings' turnovers, tying an NBA season low.
KING FOR A DAY
KENNY THOMAS - His wish is coach Rick Adelman's command. The forward said last week that he'd like to start, then scored 24 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had five assists in his second start as a King.
QUESTION POSED
CAN THE KINGS FRIGHTEN THEIR FANS ANY MORE? It happened again. A King went down, this time Darius Songaila, who fell squarely on his back and shoulder on a second-quarter dunk attempt. He suffered a pulled back muscle and sore right elbow but should be ready for Thursday night's game. Peja Stojakovic looked hurt for a moment, too, favoring his right leg after falling in the third quarter, but he bounced back.
