Brendan Haywood (knee) is hoping to shed his brace by the end of the week.

"But my knee tells me something different," he said. Haywood will likely have to wear the brace for longer than he'd like, but it shouldn't impact his availability moving forward.

Coach Rick Carlisle was impressed by Brendan's Haywood ability to play 25 minutes Friday night.

Friday marked Haywood's first games in two weeks due to a knee injury. He started, posting five points, three rebounds and one block. "That's an indication he's been working and getting ready to play while he's been out," Carlisle said. Haywood is clearly ahead of Ian Mahinmi and Brandan Wright on the depth chart.

Stan Van Gundy says that Dwight Howard was punched in the back by Brendan Haywood during Friday's game.

"Haywood just punched him literally with a closed fist right in the back," said Van Gundy. He intends to send the tape to the league office for review, so we'll see if anything comes of it. Howard didn't practice on Saturday but is expected to play Sunday.

Brendan Haywood (knee) returned to action on Friday against the Magic, scoring five points on 2-of-5 shooting with three rebounds, one steal, and one block in 26 minutes.

Haywood's knee didn't look the greatest, but he did a good job leaning into Dwight Howard tonight. As for relying on him in deep leagues, we're a bit concerned about his ability to stay on the court so watch him closely.

Brendan Haywood returned to action on Friday March 30.

Brendan Haywood (knee) has been cleared to play on Friday night.

Haywood has missed his last seven games, but will return to the court for the Mavs against the Magic. Dallas may work him back slowly, it would be prudent to wait a game or two to see how he responds before plugging him back if possible.

Brendan Haywood (knee) is expected to play on Friday against the Magic.

Haywood has missed seven straight games but should return on Friday barring any setbacks. He'll wear a "bulky brace," and it may take him a few games to get his legs back under him as he returns to the lineup. He's averaging 5.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks this season.

Brendan Haywood (knee) was available but did not play on Thursday against the Heat.

We're going to keep Haywood on the injury report until he gets back onto the court. Ian Mahinmi started in his place and scored six points with five rebounds and no steals or blocks in 19 minutes.

Brendan Haywood (knee) is active for Thursday's game against the Heat.

If he gets on the court -- which isn't a lock -- Haywood is planning to play with a bulky brace on his troublesome right knee. He hasn't played since March 15 and would share time with Ian Mahinmi/Brandan Wright up front.

Brendan Haywood (knee) will play with what he called an "offensive lineman's brace" if he's cleared for Thursday's game against the Heat.

Just like Delonte West, Rick Carlisle said that he'd like to get Haywood minutes on Thursday against the Heat. It might take some time for Haywood to find his groove after six games off, but he's progressing in the right direction and appears very close to a return.

Brendan Haywood (knee) traveled to Miami for Thursday's game against the Heat, but is listed as questionable to play.

Haywood has missed six straight games with the injury. The big man will return to his starting role when healthy with averages of 5.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

Brendan Haywood will miss another game on Tuesday, his sixth straight due to a sprained knee.

Ian Mahinmi and Brandan Wright will help fill the gap left by Haywood's absence. We're guessing this will be his last missed game, but consider him iffy for Thursday at Miami.

Rick Carlisle said that he does not expect Brendan Haywood (knee) to play on Tuesday against the Rockets, but also said "that could change."

Carlisle doesn't know what Haywood's status will be, leaving fantasy owners relying on him in a pinch. He was originally ruled out for at least five games, and he's missed exactly that many to date. Clearly Haywood's status is up in the air, and both Ian Mahinmi and Brandan Wright would continue to fill the void if Haywood can't play.

Brendan Haywood (knee) participated in the non-contact portion of Monday's practice.

Haywood seems to be targeting later this week or early next week for his return. He'll need some time to get going after missing nine of the last 11 games. Haywood is averaging a meager 5.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on the season.

Brendan Haywood (knee) could be available for the Mavericks on Tuesday.

Ian Mahinmi has been unimpressive in Haywood's absence, and Brandan Wright had done little prior to blocking seven shots on Saturday. The Mavs are stumbling along, just 1.5 games from being out of the playoff picture in a tight race out West, and they'll gladly welcome back their defensive anchor.

Brendan Haywood (knee) went through light participation at shootaround on Friday, but is likely to remain out through the remainder of the weekend.

Ian Mahinmi will continue to start in Haywood's place and should average right around 8 points and 6 rebounds per game as long as he is in the starting lineup.

Brendan Haywood's (knee) status will be updated after the weekend.

The Mavericks haven't provided a ton of detail on Haywood's injury, and he'll be out on Friday once again. He was expected to miss at least five games, but there is a chance he could be sidelined even longer. Ian Mahinmi will continue to fill the void inside until Haywood is ready to return, and Mahinmi has averaged 8.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in eight games as a starter.

Brendan Haywood returned to action on Thursday March 22.

Brendan Haywood (knee) is inching closer to a return.

"I'm getting better," he said. "We'll just see where it goes from here." He's doing work on an elliptical machine and pool work, but he's only missed three games so far and the Mavericks had said he was going to miss "at least five games." Ian Mahinmi will continue to fill in for Haywood while the veteran center is sidelined.

Brendan Haywood will miss at least five games due to a sprained right knee.

It was originally thought that Haywood's injury was not very serious, but that diagnosis changed a bit with Haywood now announced as out into next week. Ian Mahinmi will man the middle for Dallas with Brandan Wright also chipping in minutes as well, but neither will hold much fantasy value.