Getty ImagesMIAMI - Michael Beasley slightly cracked his sternum in a collision with a teammate earlier this week, yet still could be with the Miami Heat when the team opens summer league play Monday.
Daequan Cook won’t be so lucky.
The Heat announced Friday that Cook has separated his left, non-shooting, shoulder, meaning he won’t be available for the five-games-in-five-days summer league schedule starting Monday in Orlando. Cook — who suffered the injury Thursday night — will be sidelined 2-4 weeks, a significant blow because the Heat hoped the second-year guard could use a strong summer showing as a springboard into the 2008-09 season.
Beasley, however, may get the chance to make his much anticipated pro debut.
He was elbowed by a teammate in a defensive drill on Wednesday, about 45 minutes into Miami’s first practice of the summer session. The No. 2 pick in last week’s NBA draft was originally diagnosed with a chest bruise, and tests further revealed the small sternum fracture — something that typically doesn’t show up on an X-ray and simply heals over time.
The Heat said Beasley continued participating in non-contact drills with the team Friday and may be cleared for some contact Saturday, when the team is scheduled to practice twice. His status for the start of summer league play — against the Chicago Bulls and No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose — remains day-to-day.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.
ProBasketballTalk tweets |
|
Source: Twitter. For more, follow @basketballtalk. |
Video: NBA from NBC Sports |
Knicks, Lin still streaking Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and point guard Jeremy Lin discuss the team and Lin's recent success. |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Special feature |
Who will be MVP? Interactive: Rank each player on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = best player, 0 = barely worthy of consideration). NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Slideshow |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |