NBA Rumors and News Roundup: Latest Update on Ricky Rubio and Stephen Curry

Ricky Rubio looks every bit like the real deal for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and it might not be long before he finds himself in the starting lineup.

Stephen Curry's ankle continues to be an ever-evolving story to monitor, and it sounds as if he may be listed as day-to-day literally all season long.

With another full slate of action going down on Tuesday, the summer catchphrase of "basketball never stops" is proving to be a valid one during the regular season.

Kobe Bryant dropped a ridiculous 48 points in a Lakers win over the Suns despite dealing with his wrist injury, and he wasn't the only one who delivered an emphatic performance.

Spencer Hawes

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Hawes has emerged as a serious contributor for the Sixers this season, and he's looked like a much different player than previously early on in the campaign.

He suffered a lower back strain earlier in the week, and he aggravated the injury in Tuesday's blowout win over Sacramento.

After playing just 10 minutes, Hawes is officially listed as a game-time decision on Wednesday, and whether or not he plays will be contingent on how the injury responds to treatment.

T.J. Ford

Ford has played a solid brand of basketball as the primary backup to Tony Parker in San Antonio, but he may be forced to miss some time as a result of injury.

The veteran point guard pulled up lame during Tuesday's game and had to be assisted off the court, and he's expecting to be re-evaluated on Wednesday.

Starting shooting guard Gary Neal (who is replacing Manu Ginobili in the lineup) will take over backup point guard duties until Ford can get back on the court.

Michael Beasley

When Beasley initially suffered his foot injury, the Timberwolves had expected the forward to miss just a few games before returning to the court.

Now, Beasley is out indefinitely with a mid-foot sprain, and he was spotted in a walking boot after Tuesday's contest against the Bulls.

Beasley also admitted that he wasn't sure when he'd be able to resume playing, and rookie Derrick Williams will see an increased role for the foreseeable future.

Minnesota Timberwolves

It's not too often we have a rumor that impacts an entire team, but that's exactly the case in Minnesota right now.

Rick Adelman rolled out a very different starting five for the second half on Tuesday: Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour, Anthony Tolliver, Anthony Randolph and Kevin Love.

With Randolph playing much better than an ineffective Darko Milicic and Wes Johnson really struggling, Adelman didn't dismiss the idea that permanent changes to the starting unit may be on the horizon.

Chuck Hayes

Hayes is out for the Kings with a dislocated shoulder, but it's not an injury that requires surgery nor should it sideline him for an overly extended period.

His initial timetable was set at three to four weeks, and Hayes is currently being limited to just conditioning and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

J.J. Hickson has slid into the starting lineup during Hayes' absence, but the defensive intensity and basketball IQ Hayes brings to the table for the Kings can't be replaced.

Marcus Thornton

Thornton has been a solid addition for the Kings since he was acquired via trade from New Orleans last season, and the club really struggled on Tuesday night without him in the lineup.

The volume scorer sustained a thigh contusion in his previous contest, and he's officially being listed as day-to-day by Sacramento at this point.

Rookie Jimmer Fredette got the start in Thornton's absence, but he continued to struggle with his transition to the next level.

Smush Parker

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Remember Smush Parker? Kobe Bryant won't ever forget him.

After floundering out in the NBA and having last played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Parker has continued his basketball career abroad.

He's decided to sign with a team in Iran, and it's pretty amazing how far Parker has fallen since the days of being the starting point guard alongside Bryant in Los Angeles.

Mickael Pietrus

Pietrus was signed by the Celtics after being bought out by the Suns, but his debut has been delayed as he recovers from offseason knee surgery.

After previously targeting a mid-January return, Pietrus is expected to be in uniform and play on Wednesday when Boston takes on the Dallas.

With the Celtics searching for an answer behind Paul Pierce and both Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic failing to produce consistently, Pietrus could be a very nice addition to the second unit as long as he remains healthy.

Jeff Green

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Green underwent surgery to repair at aortic aneurysm on Monday, and there is good news to report on that front.

His surgery was deemed "100 percent successful," and Green's agent David Falk said that his client is expected to return to the NBA next season.

This is phenomenal news for a young player who learned he would be sidelined just before the year started, and his return to the basketball court will be a very welcomed sight.

Gerald Wallace

Wallace has been critical to the early season success of the Trail Blazers, but he is not interested in negotiating a contract extension with the team during the year.

Although the veteran forward has hinted previously that he would like to remain with the team, it's a virtual certainty that he'll be looking to test the free-agent waters following this season.

He's playing extremely well, averaging 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 53 percent shooting.

Stephen Curry

Curry's ankle is going to be problematic all season, and after the Warriors released an official statement on Tuesday afternoon, it didn't really shed much light on the situation.

The good news is that Curry does not have any structural damage to the ankle, but the young guard will have to find a way to buck the trend of the constantly recurring sprains.

He'll be cleared to play whenever he passes a functionality test, and he will meet up with his team on Saturday in Charlotte when the Warriors take on the Bobcats.