it makes you wonder: how many players would have to get hurt or bail out in order for the Warriors standout to earn a trip to Dallas?
Clippers center Chris Kaman was selected Monday to replace injured Brandon Roy on the Western Conference squad. Last week, Chauncey Billups got the first call when Chris Paul was declared out of the Valentine’s Day game.
From the Warriors’ standpoint, the most disappointing aspect of Monday’s announcement was that a center was selected to replace a guard. Obviously, Ellis, the league’s sixth-leading scorer (highest among non-All-Stars), would have had a better chance had the league subbed a guard for a guard.
that said, it easily could have been Kings rookie star Tyreke Evans. Or Houston’s Aaron Brooks. Heck, even the Spurs’ Tony Parker.
Or maybe Memphis’ Rudy Gay or the Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge if a forward were the choice.
in fact, when the San Francisco Chronicle conducted an online poll of NBA writers from 27 cities in January, Ellis received just one vote to be among the seven Western backups. Kaman, Brooks and Evans all finished ahead of him. So did the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum.
Ellis probably realizes this by now, but it appears he can pretty much etch his All-Star break vacation plans in stone. And even if lightning strikes and he is chosen at the last minute, his availability was placed in doubt by the knee injury he suffered Monday night.
MAVERICKS 127, WARRIORS 117: Things were going so well for the Warriors on Monday night, you knew something bad had to happen. Oh boy, did it.
Not only did the Warriors blow a 14-point lead in a closer-than-the-score-indicates loss to the Mavericks, but Monta Ellis had to leave the game for good with 3:43 remaining because of a knee injury.
the star guard landed awkwardly after a driving hoop with 3:47 left, then brushed up against a cameraman and fell down. Ronny Turiaf immediately fouled Jason Terry so the Warriors’ medical staff could tend to Ellis, who was in obvious pain.
But a minute later, he was able to walk off the court, and although he didn’t play again, the Warriors were hopeful afterward the injury is not serious. He was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday.
NOTES, QUOTES
—The Warriors’ loss to the Mavericks on Monday night was their fifth in a row at home and nine straight overall.
—The Warriors, up 14 at one point, didn’t trail in the game until 6:40 remained.
—The Warriors had beaten the Mavericks in five of their previous six trips to Oakland.
—The Warriors’ 70 points in the first half were the most scored in any half against the Mavericks since January 2009.
—The Warriors have out-rebounded the Mavericks in all three meetings this season. they have won the battle of the boards just five other times in 47 games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I was glad he got up on his own. I just hope it’s not as bad as it seemed like it was.” — Anthony Morrow, on Monta Ellis’ knee injury.
ROSTER REPORT
ROTATION: Starters — Point guard Stephen Curry, Shooting guard Monta Ellis, Small forward Anthony Morrow, Power forward Ronny Turiaf, Center Andris Biedrins. Bench — Guard C.J. Watson, Forward Anthony Tolliver, Forward Chris Hunter.
—G Monta Ellis twisted his right knee on a drive to the hoop late in Monday’s loss to Dallas and had to sit out the final 3:43 of the game. He left with 27 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. the Warriors, who had 113 points when Ellis went out, added just four more the rest of the way.
—G Anthony Morrow wanted to prove in the Warriors’ three home games before the All-Star break that he’s healthy enough to retain his spot in the Rookie Challenge in Dallas. After scoring just five points in 16 minutes Saturday against Oklahoma City, he broke through for a season-high 33 against the Mavericks, hitting 5 of his 9 3-point attempts. his previous high this season had been 27. He also found time for a season-best 11 rebounds, giving him his third career double-double, all of which have come in games when he’s scored 30 or more points.
—F Corey Maggette missed the game after suffering a dislocated ring finger on his right hand in the first quarter Saturday. Maggette said he popped his finger back into place five times in that game, but it swelled up the next day to the point where he was advised to take a week off.
—F Anthony Tolliver recorded a second consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes off the bench. He’s had two strong games since the organization showed faith in him, signing the NBA Developmental League graduate to a guaranteed contract for the rest of the season while waiving Speedy Claxton and his valuable $5.2 million expiring contract.
—G Monta Ellis (twisted right knee) landed awkwardly after a driving hoop late in Monday’s loss to Dallas and walked gingerly to the bench, never to play again. the Warriors were hopeful afterward that the injury was not serious, but an MRI was scheduled for Tuesday nonetheless. Regardless of the result, he’s unlikely to play Wednesday against the Clippers, the club’s final game before the All-Star break.
—F Corey Maggette (dislocated right ring finger) won’t play again until after the All-Star break after suffering the injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma City.
—F Devean George (flu) did not attend Monday’s game.
—F Anthony Randolph (torn ligaments, left ankle) is recovering slower than expected and the new projection is he probably will miss the rest of the season.
—F Vladimir Radmanovic (sore Achilles’ tendon) sat out a third consecutive game Monday and the Warriors are taking a conservative approach with him. He might sit out the rest of the month.
—G Raja Bell (torn wrist ligament) is expected to return to practice immediately following the All-Star break and could see game action before the end of the month.
—F Brandan Wright (torn labrum) had surgery and is out for the season.
—F Kelenna Azubuike (torn patella tendon) had surgery and is out for the season.