http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/94463.html
Kings notes: Martin tests ankle, but status still iffy
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, December 18, 2006
Kevin Martin did everything with his sprained right ankle except the one thing he wants to do most: run.
A day after going down in the third quarter against Phoenix at Arco Arena and not returning, Martin underwent extensive treatment Sunday in hopes of making a speedy recovery. He iced the ankle, used an electronic muscle stimulator, did a balancing drill to test its limits and rounded off the rehab with a cold and warm tub. The intention, of course, was to get him ready for tonight's game against Dallas.
But Martin said he remains a day-of-game decision because, well, running is a necessary skill.
"It's pretty sore," he said Sunday. "(So I'm) going to see how it is in the morning."
If Martin had been auditioning for a pro volleyball team, he would have easily made the cut. Just before the injury, he pulled off two successful spikes, jumping high to bat the ball down while keeping the Suns from advancing up the floor. But on the ensuing step after the second landing, Martin's right foot ran into the foot of the Suns' Boris Diaw and was tweaked.
Despite missing the fourth quarter, Martin had a team-high 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range. He wanted to come back into the game but was advised against it by the team's medical staff.
"It didn't swell up too much (Sunday), so we don't have to worry about that," he said. "It's just the pain and moving laterally."
'Melo' out -- The Kings might be among the unintended benefactors of the player brawl that took place in New York on Saturday night.
Among the 10 players ejected after a fight broke out between the Knicks and Denver, Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony might receive the longest suspension for his punch to the face of New York rookie Mardy Collins. When the Kings play in Denver on Friday, it will be Denver's third game after the bout with the Knicks. The league is expected to publicize its punishment today.
The Kings, who face the Mavericks tonight and host Washington on Thursday before heading to Denver, kept Anthony in check while winning three of the four games against the Nuggets last season. The league's current leading scorer averaged just 17.0 points per game in those meetings.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Martin tests ankle, but status still iffy
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Monday, December 18, 2006
Kevin Martin did everything with his sprained right ankle except the one thing he wants to do most: run.
A day after going down in the third quarter against Phoenix at Arco Arena and not returning, Martin underwent extensive treatment Sunday in hopes of making a speedy recovery. He iced the ankle, used an electronic muscle stimulator, did a balancing drill to test its limits and rounded off the rehab with a cold and warm tub. The intention, of course, was to get him ready for tonight's game against Dallas.
But Martin said he remains a day-of-game decision because, well, running is a necessary skill.
"It's pretty sore," he said Sunday. "(So I'm) going to see how it is in the morning."
If Martin had been auditioning for a pro volleyball team, he would have easily made the cut. Just before the injury, he pulled off two successful spikes, jumping high to bat the ball down while keeping the Suns from advancing up the floor. But on the ensuing step after the second landing, Martin's right foot ran into the foot of the Suns' Boris Diaw and was tweaked.
Despite missing the fourth quarter, Martin had a team-high 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range. He wanted to come back into the game but was advised against it by the team's medical staff.
"It didn't swell up too much (Sunday), so we don't have to worry about that," he said. "It's just the pain and moving laterally."
'Melo' out -- The Kings might be among the unintended benefactors of the player brawl that took place in New York on Saturday night.
Among the 10 players ejected after a fight broke out between the Knicks and Denver, Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony might receive the longest suspension for his punch to the face of New York rookie Mardy Collins. When the Kings play in Denver on Friday, it will be Denver's third game after the bout with the Knicks. The league is expected to publicize its punishment today.
The Kings, who face the Mavericks tonight and host Washington on Thursday before heading to Denver, kept Anthony in check while winning three of the four games against the Nuggets last season. The league's current leading scorer averaged just 17.0 points per game in those meetings.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
