Sonics’ Durant Uncertain For Opener With Sprained Ankle

In the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, Gary Washburn writes “the Sonics confirmed Wednesday what was initially thought, that shooting guard Kevin Durant has a sprained left ankle and will not play in the Sonics' final preseason game Friday against Phoenix. Durant is uncertain for the season opener next Wednesday against Denver. An MRI and X-rays taken Wednesday revealed no fracture and Durant will be re-evaluated next week.”

Kobe Suffers Mild Wrist Injury

In the L.A. DAILY NEWS, Elliot Teaford writes “add another name to the roll of the injured. Kobe Bryant injured his right wrist during the Lakers' 21-point exhibition loss to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night. He received treatment Wednesday and said he hoped he could play in Friday's exhibition finale against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas. Bryant has spent much of training camp monitoring tendinitis in his left knee, but his wrist injury is the first serious setback he's suffered this month.”

ODEN; MISS NBA SEASON

Oden Undergoes Microfracture Surgery
An exploratory arthroscopic surgery performed on Greg Oden today revealed cartilage damage to the Portland Trail Blazers rookie’s right knee. Oden is likely to miss the 2007-08 NBA season.

"Greg had an arthroscopy and a micro fracture surgery today," said team physician Dr. Don Roberts, who performed the surgery. "He was found to have articular cartilage damage in his right knee. The area of injury was not large and we were able to treat it with micro fracture, which stimulates the growth of cartilage. There are things about this that are positive for Greg. First of all he is young. The area where the damage was is small and the rest of his knee looked normal. All those are good signs for a complete recovery from micro fracture surgery."

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