Stojakovic is a question mark
A strained groin puts his status in doubt
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 16, 2005
LOS ANGELES - The NBA playoffs are just around the corner for the Kings, and so is the specter of injury.
This time, it haunted Peja Stojakovic. A strained left groin forced him out during the first quarter of a 115-106 Kings victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center.
High on the list of Kings coach Rick Adelman's worst fears entering these final four regular-season games was losing one of his players to injury.
With 4:36 left in the first quarter, Stojakovic made a three-pointer and came down with a strained left groin. On the Kings' next possession, Stojakovic was removed from the game and helped to the locker room.
Stojakovic said he felt a tug while he was running a few possessions before he came out of the game.
"It felt funny," he said of his left leg, "so I was stretching it. Then when I was running just before I really hurt it, I kind of felt it cramping up. Then after the shot, I couldn't run at all."
Stojakovic had made five of his first six field-goal attempts, including all four of his three-pointers. He scored 14 points in less than eight minutes.
Groin injuries are among the most troublesome to heal, so it's unlikely Stojakovic will play in the three remaining regular-season contests.
"He definitely will not play," Adelman said of tonight's game in Phoenix against the Suns. "We're going to definitely be cautious with him."
Stojakovic's availability for the start of next weekend's playoffs is questionable until he can prove he can withstand the rigors of running, jumping, pushing and being pushed by NBA players - even in practice.
If Adelman has one position of depth, it is small forward. Corliss Wiilamson, Maurice Evans, Kenny Thomas and rookie Erik Daniels, if he is on the playoff roster, each can play the position, although none with Stojakovic's sharp-shooting ability.
Evans finished the game with 16 points, including makes on all three three-point attempts.
The game's star quality already had taken a major hit when Lakers guard Kobe Bryant did not play because of his wife Vanessa's ectopic pregnancy. A Lakers press release said that Bryant had spent the past two days with her while she underwent a series of tests.
Bryant's absence, combined with a shoulder injury to forward Lamar Odom, robbed the Lakers of their most versatile and talented players. However, it did not remove the team's pride, and it was clear the players had been reminded by coach Frank Hamblen and his staff that Sacramento held a 62-32 rebounding advantage during a 124-105 victory Sunday at Arco Arena.
Hamblen started 6-foot-8 Luke Walton in Bryant's shooting guard spot, and the second-year swingman responded with career-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (nine), as well as adding 10 points.
Small forward Caron Butler scored a season-high 34 points to lead six Lakers in double figures.
The Kings led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, but the Lakers twice climbed within five points late in the fourth quarter. Corliss Williamson, Mike Bibby and Cuttino Mobley each scored baskets to hold off the Lakers.
The Kings' fourth consecutive victory allowed them to maintain a tenuous hold on fifth place in the Western Conference. The Kings increased their advantage to a full game on both idle Houston and Denver, which defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Denver plays at Houston tonight.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12735295p-13587090c.html
A strained groin puts his status in doubt
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 16, 2005
LOS ANGELES - The NBA playoffs are just around the corner for the Kings, and so is the specter of injury.
This time, it haunted Peja Stojakovic. A strained left groin forced him out during the first quarter of a 115-106 Kings victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center.
High on the list of Kings coach Rick Adelman's worst fears entering these final four regular-season games was losing one of his players to injury.
With 4:36 left in the first quarter, Stojakovic made a three-pointer and came down with a strained left groin. On the Kings' next possession, Stojakovic was removed from the game and helped to the locker room.
Stojakovic said he felt a tug while he was running a few possessions before he came out of the game.
"It felt funny," he said of his left leg, "so I was stretching it. Then when I was running just before I really hurt it, I kind of felt it cramping up. Then after the shot, I couldn't run at all."
Stojakovic had made five of his first six field-goal attempts, including all four of his three-pointers. He scored 14 points in less than eight minutes.
Groin injuries are among the most troublesome to heal, so it's unlikely Stojakovic will play in the three remaining regular-season contests.
"He definitely will not play," Adelman said of tonight's game in Phoenix against the Suns. "We're going to definitely be cautious with him."
Stojakovic's availability for the start of next weekend's playoffs is questionable until he can prove he can withstand the rigors of running, jumping, pushing and being pushed by NBA players - even in practice.
If Adelman has one position of depth, it is small forward. Corliss Wiilamson, Maurice Evans, Kenny Thomas and rookie Erik Daniels, if he is on the playoff roster, each can play the position, although none with Stojakovic's sharp-shooting ability.
Evans finished the game with 16 points, including makes on all three three-point attempts.
The game's star quality already had taken a major hit when Lakers guard Kobe Bryant did not play because of his wife Vanessa's ectopic pregnancy. A Lakers press release said that Bryant had spent the past two days with her while she underwent a series of tests.
Bryant's absence, combined with a shoulder injury to forward Lamar Odom, robbed the Lakers of their most versatile and talented players. However, it did not remove the team's pride, and it was clear the players had been reminded by coach Frank Hamblen and his staff that Sacramento held a 62-32 rebounding advantage during a 124-105 victory Sunday at Arco Arena.
Hamblen started 6-foot-8 Luke Walton in Bryant's shooting guard spot, and the second-year swingman responded with career-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (nine), as well as adding 10 points.
Small forward Caron Butler scored a season-high 34 points to lead six Lakers in double figures.
The Kings led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, but the Lakers twice climbed within five points late in the fourth quarter. Corliss Williamson, Mike Bibby and Cuttino Mobley each scored baskets to hold off the Lakers.
The Kings' fourth consecutive victory allowed them to maintain a tenuous hold on fifth place in the Western Conference. The Kings increased their advantage to a full game on both idle Houston and Denver, which defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Denver plays at Houston tonight.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12735295p-13587090c.html
