NBA players injured after first week of play

Paul Gardner SHI04001@BYUI.EDU sports staff

The NBA season is one week in, and already Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal and Tracy McGrady are out with injuries. Stoudemire will be out until the all-star break. O’Neal sprained his ankle and will be out two to four weeks. McGrady will be out for three weeks with back spasms.

The defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons, led by head coach Flip Saunders, are off to a 3-0 start. Former Piston’s head coach, Larry Brown, is coaching the win less New York Knicks this season.

The Miami Heat are off to a 1-2 start, and they will now look to Alonzo Mourning to fill in for O’Neal.

The Indiana Pacers started the season 2-1, and they have Ron Artest back after missing most of last season because of a suspension. However, the Pacers lost all-star Reggie Miller to retirement.

Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have the New Jersey Nets atop the Atlantic Division.

The Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons are the only undefeated teams in the Eastern Conference thus far. The only undefeated team in the Western Conference is the Los Angeles Clippers.

Teams yet to record a win this season include the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and the Toronto Raptors.