"INJURY NEWS

Manu Ginobili started doing "basketball work" and is about a week away from performing in one-on-one drills. This isn't a hamstring tear or muscle ailment that is subject to aggravation, but rather a broken bone that has a definitive timeline more or less. Ginobili's return will be guided by the doctor's recommendation on what timeline is needed for the bones to properly set, and from there it will be an issue of pain management and slowly building up the small muscles around the hand so the hand itself is stable. All of this is more or less a cookie-cutter transaction from a doctor's perspective, so if Ginobili is sitting around in your daily league go ahead and pick him up.

Brook Lopez (foot) ran for the first time on Monday, and while I have him coming back a few weeks after Manu I'd also be willing to take a chance on him with what we know. Just look at your schedule and figure out if you can swing things with Lopez rotting on your bench. So far, it sounds like his rehab is going well, and he could be a force for your squad down the stretch.

Richard Hamilton (groin) could be out "a while" after he got up for Sunday's big game against the Heat and Tom Thibodeau didn't stop him. This means that Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer deserve a close look, because no matter what Hamilton or Luol Deng (wrist) say, they could be missing some time.

Rajon Rondo (wrist) did not play on Tuesday and one way or another somebody is lying about his return date. Doc Rivers said he is probably targeting Friday for his return."