Yi Jianlian News: Pro Sports Daily

Sprained ankle causes Yi Jianlian to miss NJ Nets' four-game road trip

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March 8

Newark Star-Ledger

"The Nets followed their Saturday night win over the Knicks by taking off on a four-game trip that begins Monday in Memphis and continues Wednesday in Dallas, Friday in Oklahoma City and Saturday in Houston. They will be without Yi Jianlian on the trip, as the 7-foot power forward is out with a sprained left ankle, suffered in the first quarter Saturday night. Yi was injured with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter, when he stepped on the foot of the Knicks' Wilson Chandler as he backed up to try and get defensive positioning. Yi has already missed 24 games this season because of various injuries. He is averaging 11.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game."

Sprained ankle forces Yi Jianlian to miss Nets' four-game road trip

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March 8

New York Daily News

"The Nets will be playing meaningful games on a four-game road trip that begins in Memphis Monday, but they won't have their starting power forward to help them. Yi Jianlian did not join the Nets on their flight to Tennessee Sunday and he will miss games against the Grizzlies, Mavericks, Thunder and Rockets this week because of the left ankle he sprained during Saturday night's win over the Knicks. Yi had three points on 1-for-4 shooting before the injury occurred, and he has already missed 24 games this season due to injury. Kris Humphries, who scored 10 points in Saturday's win, will likely take Yi's place in the lineup. After the game, Yi said he did not feel "too bad" but that he did ..."

Hurty Yi left behind, out indefinitely

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March 8

New York Daily News

"The Nets left for a four-game road trip today and they left Yi Jianlian behind. The 7-footer sprained his left ankle in Saturday night's 113-93 win over the Knicks and is out indefinitely. He did not accompany the team on its flight to Memphis and will not be at any of the games this week, according to an e-mail the Nets sent out earlier."

Yi Jianlian sprains ankle, out indefinitely

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March 7

Bergen Record

"The Nets probably will be without starting power forward Yi Jianlian for some time. Yi left the building in a walking boot after suffering a high left-ankle sprain in the first quarter when he stepped on Wilson Chandler's foot. Yi is out indefinitely. "I've got to see how it feels," Yi said. "It's hard to tell right now. I don't know how many days." X-rays were negative, but it looked bad from the start."

NJ Nets' Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian say they'll play Sunday

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February 21

Newark Star-Ledger

"Devin Harris didn't practice Saturday, but said he'll play Sunday despite a sprained left knee.Devin Harris didn't practice Saturday, and didn't talk to reporters afterward. But the Nets point guard sent word that he will play Sunday night when the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies, despite a slightly sprained left knee suffered Friday night in the loss to Toronto. Yi Jianlian told reporters that he, too, will play Sunday, despite a balky shoulder and a sore back that his coach says have contributed to his poor production the last few weeks. GM/coach Kiki Vandeweghe said both Harris and Yi will be game time decisions, since there is no shootaround for the 6 p.m. game. Vandeweghe maintains ..."

Yi Jianlian: For Nets and country

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February 21

Bergen Record

"Nets coach Kiki Vandeweghe called struggling and banged-up forward Yi Jianlian a game-time decision. Yi already has decided he will play. Those sighs of relief came from the Nets' marketing department, which decided it would celebrate Chinese culture tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. Yi has been playing with pain in his shoulder and back. He's scored fewer than 10 points in four straight games and was 2-for-13 in Friday's loss to Toronto. But Yi vowed to bounce back. "Just an off night," Yi said after practice Saturday. "It's not going to happen again." Consider the Grizzlies warned"

Nets' Yi vows struggles will stop

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February 21

New York Post

"It could be the shoulder, injured nine games ago on a reach-in against Detroit. It might be the aching back, which flared after he was banged around rebounding four games ago. Either way, Nets' Yi Jianlian has struggled badly lately. Suffice to say, his shooting has been downright Net-like. But not for long. Yi promises. "Not going to happen again," said Yi, who also vows to play when the Nets face Memphis at the Meadowlands tonight (6:00, YES, WFAN 660 AM), which also happens to be an the "Evening of Chinese Culture" promotion, featuring pre, postgame and halftime entertainment with artists from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The shoulder is no longer an issue, the back is sore but ..."

Nets' Yi Jianlian slumping as missed easy shots become issue

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January 28

Newark Star-Ledger

"The Nets have a lot more problems than Yi Jianlian's recent shooting slump, but it is a poser: After getting the entire league's attention with a superb eight-game stretch that included averages of 20.3 points (.476 shooting) and 7.0 rebounds, the starting power forward has been in a two-week slump – probably for a very good reason. "Teams now see him as part of the game plan. Having said that, he's missed a lot of very easy shots – a lot of layups, wide-open jumpers," coach Kiki Vandeweghe said. Team president Rod Thorn agreed, "Once you get on the radar, and they start game-planning for you, it gets harder. And our team hasn't played very well, so that's when you have to start making ..."

Yi-gads: Jianlian beaten and brutal in defeat

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January 3

New York Post

"The Cavs aren't ranked first in shooting defense and fourth in scoring defense simply on reputation. They really do defend. Just ask Yi Jianlian. "I missed a lot of shots, man," said Yi, who bricked 11-of-13 attempts yesterday in the Nets' 94-86 loss to the Cavs — after shooting 33-of-61 (.541) in his previous four games after his return from injury. "The shots did not feel good. They did not allow me to drive to the basket, and just very good chance at making me think about it. It's different from the other teams — they always have two bigs inside. That makes it hard to get to the basket." Yi said this was the best defense he's seen since his return. Obviously, they're a pretty good ..."

Yi's Net worrying, just playing

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December 28

New York Post

"A prime topic of discussion around the Nets these past few days has been Yi Jianlian. Devin Harris may have rolled all the positive talk into one sentence. "He's shooting the ball with confidence, attacking the rim with tenacity," Harris said. And that pretty much sums up Yi in his two games after sitting 24 with, first, a sprained knee and then a gash in his mouth and upper lip that required 50 stitches. On Wednesday, Yi was a perimeter force, scoring 22 points with quality shooting that included 4-of-6 on 3-pointers during the Nets' 103-99 loss to the Timberwolves. Then against Houston Saturday, Yi was in full attack mode. He even dunked three times en route to 17 points -- even picked ..."

Yi Starts, CD-R Still Out For Nets

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December 27

New York Post

"No surprises. Yi Jianlian is in and Chris Douglas-Roberts still is out of the Nets' starting lineup tonight against the Rockets. Yi was a surprise Wednesday in than he scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his first game since Nov. 2. And because he is the designated starting power forward, interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe said it just makes sense to get him back to his intended role ASAP. "I think it's better to just make it definitive: 'Here's what we're going to do, let's get the rotations and let's understand our role,'" Vandeweghe said. "Whether it hurts somebody or it doesn't hurt somebody, I think it's the way to do it." So Josh Boone returns to the bench after averaging 6.6 ..."

Yi bright spot for Jersey

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December 27

New York Post

"In the span of 30 minutes Wednesday night, forward Yi Jianlian might have played his way into the starting lineup. At 2-27, the moribund Nets have little to lose -- except their ninth straight game. Yi showed little rust in his return from a seven-week absence because of knee and lip injuries, scoring 22 points in the 103-99 home loss to the (almost) equally woeful Timberwolves. He hit 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 7 of 12 shots overall, giving the Nets -- who shoot a league-worst 41.6 percent and 27.9 on threes -- a sorely needed perimeter threat. "He stretches the floor for us," point guard Devin Harris said. "He came out ready to play and it shows how hard he's been working. His stroke ..."

Yi returns, scores 22 in loss to Timberwolves

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December 24

New York Post

"Twas the night before the night before Christmas . . . and the Nets still lost. They had Yi Jianlian back from a knee injury, and he made a big difference. They shot the 3-ball better than they have all season, making nine. Keyon Dooling played a season high minutes and excelled. Courtney Lee shot like Courtney Lee is supposed to shoot. Devin Harris drove and pushed the ball and scored. And the Nets still lost -- against the second worst team in the NBA. So it didn't matter if it was the night before the night before Christmas or the Fourth of July or Income Tax Filing Extension Day. They lost. The Nets failed to get the critical stops they needed, came out on the short end of a crucial ..."

Nets anxious to see Yi Jianlian back on the court

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December 23

Bergen Record

"Yi Jianlian had a brace on his right knee and nothing covering his surgically repaired mouth. But it didn't cause him to shy away from contact in practice. It's been more than seven weeks since Yi played a game. That should change tonight when the Nets face the Minnesota Timberwolves in what would be classified as a winnable game for the NBA's worst team. After missing five weeks with a sprained right MCL and another two after an elbow to the mouth required 50 stitches in his upper lip, Yi practiced the past two days and by all accounts showed no signs of worrying about either issue. "You don't want to go in thinking about the knee or whether you're going to get split open again," Nets ..."

O come, all Yi shooters: Yi expected back tonight, CDR still out

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December 23

New York Post

"You've heard of the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Well, so far the Nets simply have been the gang that couldn't shoot, period. So welcome back Yi Jianlian and -- eventually -- Jarvis Hayes. Yi and Hayes arguably are the Nets' best deep shooters. And with a telethon-worthy 2-26 record and a 41.5 field-goal percentage that is by far the worst in the NBA, anyone who can hit the barn, let alone its broad side, is welcome. Yi is expected to return tonight against Minnesota, the team that on opening night started the Nets on their descent to Hades. Hayes could return Saturday against Houston. Keyon Dooling, battling sore hip flexors that kept him out of five games and limited him to ..."

Nets forward Yi Jianlian close to returning; Chris Douglas-Roberts "pretty doubtful"

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December 22

Newark Star-Ledger

"The last time Nets forward Yi Jianlian played, on Nov. 2, his team was 0-4 and mired in an early-season slump. In his absence, the team fired its head coach, set an NBA record for futility and lurched through an almost insurmountable patch of injuries. Yi returned to work Monday. But after putting his new team through its first full practice under his watch, Nets head coach Kiki Vandeweghe said he was still unsure whether Yi would return to the lineup Wednesday against Minnesota. Yi will work out with the team again on Tuesday. "It takes more than one or two practices to be ready," Vandeweghe said following an extended workout at Nets headquarters. "But I know he wants to play very badly. ..."

Yi's return shakes up Kiki's Nets

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December 22

New York Post

"For the first time since Kiki Vandeweghe took over as coach of the 2-25 Nets at the start of this month, they had a real practice yesterday with no opponent to prepare for and enough time and healthy bodies to make changes. And on a team this sorry, there are a whole lot of changes that need to be made. "I'll say it. This is the first chance we've had to have a real practice," said Vandeweghe. "I'm not a big proponent of long practices with a lot of talking, but today we needed it. We tried to do a couple things a little differently. "When you come in and the team's 0-18, you have to change some things, and we have." Aside from working on fundamentals, two glaring issues Vandeweghe ..."

Back from injury, Yi could start Wednesday for Nets

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December 22

New York Daily News

"Yi Jianlian feels good enough to start and has a chance of getting his wish Wednesday when the Nets host Minnesota. When Lawrence Frank coached the Nets, starters returning from injury had to first show they could play off the bench for a game or two before starting again. No exceptions. But that iron-clad rule left with the fired Frank, who was replaced by GM Kiki Vandeweghe. With one of their top scorers, forward Chris Douglas-Roberts, out after spraining his ankle against the Lakers on Saturday, it's possible Vandeweghe starts Yi in his first game since spraining his right knee on Nov. 2. Vandeweghe wouldn't give a definitive answer after practice yesterday, but hinted that his 7-foot ..."

Yi Jianlian set to return to court

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December 21

New York Daily News

"Of all the injuries the Nets have had this season, Yi Jianlian probably suffered the most gruesome one - a cut upper lip that required 50 stitches. But with his lip healed, Yi is set to return to the practice court Monday and he could play in the Nets' next game Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves . The 7-footer, whom the Nets were relying on to provide a perimeter and post presence this season, has not played since Nov.2, when he sprained his right knee. He was set to return from that injury two weeks ago but got elbowed in the face while playing 3-on-3 after a practice."

Oft-injured Yi Jianlian to return this week

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December 20

Bergen Record

"Yi Jianlian is ready to resume his NBA career. The Nets' power forward will practice Monday and Tuesday and, barring a setback, play Wednesday against Minnesota. He hasn't played since spraining his right MCL on Nov. 2. "I'm pretty close," Yi said. "I just need a few practices with the team." Yi was set to return two weeks ago, but needed 50 stitches in his upper lip after taking an inadvertent elbow in the mouth when he tried to block Sean Williams' dunk attempt in a Dec. 5 post-practice game. Yi said it gave him extra time for his knee to heal and he feels fine."

Lip service: Yi gets 50 stitches

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December 7

New York Post

"Sean Williams did a double take when he heard that teammate Yi Jianlian required 50 stitches for a gash in his lip. "Fifty? Is that a misprint?" Williams asked. Williams was the guy who delivered an inadvertent elbow to Yi Saturday during some 3-on-3 pickup after practice, knocking Yi out for about another week."

Nets lose Yi for another week after split lip

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December 7

New York Daily News

"The day started with bad news and ended with a bad loss. So after just one win, it was back to normal for the Nets Sunday. A 106-97 loss to the Knicks put the Nets right back in familiar territory following Friday's win over the Bobcats, which snapped their record-setting season-opening losing streak at 18 games. The day started ominously, with news that Yi Jianlian will be out at least a week longer after splitting open his top lip on Saturday and getting 50 stitches to close the wound. Things looked bright again when the Nets rushed out to a 13-point lead in the first half, only to turn sour when the Knicks exploded for a 33-point third quarter to take control of the game. The Nets ..."

Nets' Yi faces 1-week setback in return

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December 6

ESPN.com

"Yi Jianlian was elbowed in the mouth at practice by teammate Sean Williams, opening up a gash inside Yi's upper lip that required 50 stitches to repair. The injury will force Yi to miss at least an additional week after he was expected to return Sunday against the Knicks or Tuesday at Chicago after missing five weeks with a sprained right knee. Reports differed on whether the injury happened during a 3-on-3 or 2-on-2 drill, but this much was known: Yi went up to contest a dunk attempt by the 6-foot-10 Williams, and the two collided as Yi got a piece of the ball, and Williams' dunk attempt missed. Witnesses said Yi wanted to continue playing but was told to seek medical attention."

Nets forward Yi Jianlian sidelined with MCL sprain in right knee

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November 3

Newark Star-Ledger

"Nets forward Yi Jianlian will be out of action for several week with a right knee injury, an MRI revealed Tuesday. The team got the test results back Tuesday afternoon, and Yi has a Grade I sprain of the MCL in his right knee. The Nets are not giving a timetable for his return, but normal recovery time for such an injury is two to three weeks."

Yi must power up for Nets

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October 1

New York Post

"Yi Jianlian has a one-word answer about what he wants to improve this season as the Nets' starting power forward. "Everything," he answered simply. No arguments from his coaches. Following a disappointing, injury-filled rookie year with Milwaukee, the 7-foot Yi came to the Nets before last season essentially for Richard Jefferson. He immediately provided more of the same: a disappointing, injury-filled second season. "My first two seasons, sometimes they were pretty good, but I have to work hard and show something more this season. I still have to improve a lot of stuff. But that's [in the] past. I just want to talk about the new season," Yi said. OK, talk. "Everything. Everything I want ..."

Nets could open season without Yi

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September 18

Yahoo! Sports

"Yi Jianlian could be wearing a different uniform when his New Jersey Nets play their season-opening game, Yahoo! Sports has learned. Yi has committed to playing basketball for his native Guandong in the National Games of the People's Republic of China from Oct. 16-28. The Nets, however, have three preseason games and also their Oct. 28 season opener at Minnesota scheduled during China's National Games. Travel, practices and recovery time could cause Yi to miss even more time with the Nets. For now, the Nets are backing Yi's decision to participate and are working to determine an acceptable timetable for his absence. Yi's agent, Dan Fegan, could not be reached for comment."

Yi Jianlian

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January 11

New York Daily News

"Yi Jianlian was just starting to get his timing down on the court. The timing of his broken right pinkie, however, couldn't have been worse. Yi, the Nets' 7-foot power forward, broke the finger in the third quarter of the Nets' 104-102 loss in Milwaukee onÂ Friday night. He had 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting at the time, putting him on pace for his third consecutive game with at least 20 points. His 22-point and 20-point performances in the previous two games marked the first time in his career that he had reached that mark in back-to-back games. Yi is expected to miss four to six weeks. "Lousy timing," team president Rod Thorn said. "He'd been playing well." Yi is averaging 10.5 and 6.2 ..."

Yi, Nets Suffer Unlucky Break

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January 11

New York Post

"The Nets finally saw the Yi Jianlian they wanted, the 7-foot bundle of emerging talent they felt was worth dealing Richard Jefferson to obtain. The past few weeks, Yi was good. The past few games, Yi was very good. But now the development will be shelved for up to six weeks after Yi broke his right pinkie in Friday's 104-102 defeat at Milwaukee. "Lousy timing," team president Rod Thorn said. "He'd been playing well the last 2½, 3 weeks. Even in games he didn't score a lot in, he's been playing well. So it's a tough time for him to get hurt." Yi, who said he heard a "little pop" as he swiped at the ball in the third quarter, had 16 points in 25 minutes against Milwaukee, well on his way to ..."

Yi out 4 weeks

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January 10

Bergen Record

"Yi Jianlian broke his right pinkie trying to make a steal. The Nets’ starting power forward is expected to miss at least four weeks. Yi has been playing well lately. This was his fourth straight game with at least 10 points. He finished with 16 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes. The Nets have Eduardo Najera, Ryan Anderson and Bobby Simmons whom they could use at power forward. Also, Stromile Swift, who was away from the team for personal reasons, is expected to return soon. No Devin Devin Harris didn’t play again because of his sore right hamstring. He’s expected to return Monday against Oklahoma City. The Nets decided the best thing for Harris, who has missed three of the last four ..."

With Yi Jianlian, the Nets Hope to Go Global

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July 10

New York Times

"Thinking expansively, going global, the Nets invited a billion Chinese to stream a news conference Wednesday on njnets.com and to communicate with the newly acquired forward, Yi Jianlian. Alas, the linking of the Far East to East Rutherford was apparently no instant triumph of digital interaction. At least Jeff from Hackensack was poised to post a query for Bobby Simmons, another new Net who hails from the less exotic basketball hotbed of Chicago."

Bucks hardly knew Yi

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June 27

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"When Yi Jianlian left China last summer to come to Milwaukee and play for the Milwaukee Bucks, he was not just a potential National Basketball Association star. The 7-footer represented something more: a talented Chinese national who would be the gateway between the Bucks, the Milwaukee business community and the vast economic promise of China and its millions of basketball fans. It didn?t quite work out that way, and on Thursday the Bucks and new general manager John Hammond traded the 20-year-old Yi and small forward Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets for forward Richard Jefferson."

Nets agree to trade Jefferson to Bucks for Yi, Simmons

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June 26

ESPN.com

"The New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a trade that will send Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com that the deal has been agreed to and submitted for league approval in advance of Thursday night's draft. No draft picks are involved in the trade, sources said."