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Dooling returns to practice
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Keyon Dooling returned to practice in the hopes of playing later this month.
While most Nets' news involves another player getting hurt, New Jersey received a bit of good fortune when Keyon Dooling returned to practice today.
The Nets played against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night with only eight available players.
Although Dooling returned to practice, he is not expected to play in any games until late November at the earliest. Dooling is coming off hip surgery and is not physically fit for game action.
“It felt pretty good with the exception of not being able to breathe," Dooling told reporters. "As long as I continue to [get my] strength and keep my cardio up I’ll be back pretty soon.”
Dooling would be a welcome addition to a backcourt with only one true point guard. Devin Harris' timetable is uncertain, and he could be out anywhere from 2-4 more weeks with a strained groin. That leaves Rafer Alston as the starter with Terrence Williams backing him up.
Dooling anticipates coming back in either late November or early December, and the Nets will probably activate him following their west coast trip. The trip begins Nov. 24 at Denver and concludes Nov. 29 at the Los Angeles Lakers. New Jersey returns home Dec. 2 to face the Dallas Mavericks.
Right now, Dooling's focus is on his fitness level.
“I probably could have made it up-and-down [the floor] twice,” Dooling said. “From a cardio standpoint I’m not there yet. That’s something I have to focus on here leading up to December.”
The Nets return to action Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Courtney Lee remains day-to-day with a left groin injury, while Chris Douglas-Roberts' status is uncertain. Douglas-Roberts was diagnosed with swine flu. The Nets are hoping for Wednesday, but that might be a bit too optimistic.
In addition, Josh Boone had his fingers taped after a collision with Kendrick Perkins on Saturday. The original thought was that Boone suffered a broken finger, but that is not the case.
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