Carl

Landry

Landry is closing in on that 3-4 week timetable he was hit with after spraining his MCL on Feb. 4. Once up to speed, he projects as one of the first bigs off the bench. That role could expand depending on the health of Emeka Okafor (knee) and if the Hornets move Chris Kaman at the trade deadline.

Landry is practicing with a brace on his knee, which he will likely wear in games once he does return. He’s expected to be back no later than Saturday barring any setbacks, but he’ll be eased into minutes since he’s been out since the beginning of February. With all of the members of New Orleans’ frontcourt healthy, Landry will have to fight for minutes and was averaging just 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds prior to his injury.

Foote’s services were no longer needed with Jason Smith (concussion) and Carl Landry (knee) on the comeback trail.

Landry has been out since Feb. 4. He’ll be eased back into a bench role, likely behind Chris Kaman and Gustavo Ayon. Landry will also be fighting for minutes with a now-healthy Jason Smith (concussion). He was averaging 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.3 blocks before going down.

Chris Kaman (ill) and Gustavo Ayon (baby) were out tonight, so Landry’s minutes could take a hit when they return, likely in the next game. But if you started Landry for five games this week, he’s averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and a block in his two games. So far, so good.

Ayon’s wife gave birth to their child Thursday, meaning he’s a decent bet to be back with the team by Saturday. In the meantime, Jason Smith and Carl Landry will continue to start up front if Chris Kaman (flu, questionable) can’t go. Emeka Okafor (knee) remains out indefinitely.

What you see is what you get, as this is an average ‘good Landry’ line if we’ve ever seen one. If these numbers work for you, give him a look.

Smith had just two points and one board, and we’re marking him questionable for Saturday’s game against the Wolves. If we get confirmation that he will be out, we’ll upgrade the statuses of Carl Landry (13 points, six boards) and Gustavo Ayon (four points, six boards, zero blocks)

He played 27 minutes, while Carl Landry added 16 points and just one rebound in 21 minutes. Watkins could get some run the rest of the way with Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor done for the year, so keep a close eye on him.

Smith lost a month and a half to a concussion earlier in the year and the injury appeared to impact his nose and radial bone area. He finished with six points, four boards, and two blocks in just under 10 minutes, while Carl Landry (18 and 10) and Gustavo Ayon (nine points, 10 boards, steal, block) are carrying the team in overtime right now. Both will be worth a look if Smith, who is watching the game from the bench, is declared out for any length of time.